End of an era: Duke of Lancaster's Regiment flag lowered in Episkopi after two years

There has been a flag change in British Forces Cyprus as soldiers from 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment came to the end of their two years at Episkopi Garrison.

It was the end of an era as they handed over to 1st Battalion the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, who came from London.

The soldiers of 1 Lancs have been busy during their two years in Cyprus.

• More than 1,000 UK troops on standby to evacuate Britons from Lebanon
• British Army's 1 Lancs head back to UK after last gruelling test on deployment in Cyprus
• UK Armed Forces help tackle record number of wildfires in Cyprus

Their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Bob Carman, reflected on their "fulfilling tour" as the regional standby battalion.

"We've really been able to cement our defence engagement relationship with the Cypriot National Guard and the Jordanian Armed Forces," he told Forces News.

"We have to live here with our families as well as operate from here.

"To be part of the wider community has been really important and we will miss it."

The battalion's final exercise took place at an Urban Training Facility at RAF Akrotiri, with an emphasis on conventional warfighting.

The soldiers were learning how to raid buildings, throw grenades through doors and manoeuvre around a built-up environment.

The exercise also gave them the chance to train with military assets not so easily accessible in the UK, such as the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, based at Episkopi, and 84 Squadron, based at RAF Akrotiri, flying the Puma helicopter.

To make it as realistic as possible, the soldiers were also tested at night.

It provided a change of pace for some of the Kingsmen not long out of training, who could be operating in built-up and densely populated battlegrounds.

Lt Col Carman also made sure to draw attention to a "brilliant sporting year" for the soldiers.

"We've won the two major Army boxing championships and the infantry championship as well," he said.

The battalion will now move to Weeton Barracks in Lancashire, joining the 4th Light Brigade Combat Team, also known as the Black Rats.

The infanteers hand over to 1 PWRR, who are also familiar with Cyprus.

Having last been in Cyprus in 2021, their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Zorab, said they "won't rest on their laurels" because they have been there before.

He added: "Much changes, and we are here to listen, learn, understand and then integrate as quickly as possible."