THE SUSTAINER | OP TOSCA
6 Regiment RLC is currently deployed on United Nations peacekeeping duties in Cyprus. Operation TOSCA is the name given to the British contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). In an area of continuing tension, soldiers from the British Army, alongside colleagues from the United Nations Police, monitor and patrol the 180km long Buffer Zone 24/7 separating the North and South of Cyprus. UNFICYP was originally established by the UN Security Council in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. After further hostilities in 1974, a permanent United Nations Peacekeeping mission was established to operate in Cyprus to prevent further conflict. The British Army has deployed soldiers to the UNFICYP ever since, to help keep the peace and maintaining stability. In recent years, The RLC has played a key role. Since 2007 some eleven different units have deployed as ‘Sector 2’. Currently, 6 Regiment RLC forms the backbone of the 238 strong deployment as ‘Sector 2’, augmented by 75 IAs from 23 different units and over ten different cap badges. Individual and collective training included learning and re40
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Op TOSCA 34 establishing a multitude of skills. Soldiers have been trained as Public Order Instructors, Negotiators and Military Observers, as well as enjoying both Greek and Turkish language lessons. Preparations were challenging. The Regt was heavily committed to Op RESCRIPT and COVID-19 meant many courses were cancelled and delayed and soldiers spent long periods of time away from their families.
The Op TOSCA 34 force deployed to Sector 2 of the Buffer Zone, which includes some of the most sensitive areas of the Buffer Zone together with the last remaining divided capital city in the world, Nicosia. The Operations Company, Support Company and Influence Group are located at Ledra Palace Hotel; with the Mobile Force Reserve stationed at the United Nations Protected Area. After an excellent hand over from 6 RIFLES, the deployed force has quickly adjusted into the routine of life on operations. Soldiers have been patrolling the Buffer Zone, by day and night, on foot, bike and by vehicle, in both the urban and rural environment. Their key responsibility is to observe, monitor and report, ensuring they are on high alert to anything that may affect the status quo. Alongside the patrols training has been key. All the training was planned and delivered by JNCOs, and included: firefighting, public order, weapons training and navigation. A unique opportunity of this deployment is working within a multi-cap badge
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