Op Tosca: Sappers take over United Nations peacekeeping mission in Cyprus

A new British Army unit has taken over peacekeeping duties in Cyprus as part of the longest-running United Nations mission.

1 Coldstream Guards transferred authority over Sector Two to 39 Engineer Regiment, with Lieutenant Colonel Ed Michell shaking hands with incoming Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Walker.

A flag-raising ceremony at Wolseley Barracks inside the Green Line buffer zone formally started Op Tosca 44, the British Army's contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus that has been ongoing for more than 60 years.

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It took almost 24 hours for the Sappers to travel from their barracks in Kinloss, Scotland, to Nicosia.

Lance Corporal Aaron 'Birdy' Bird welcomed the change in scenery.

"It's something different," he said. "A lot of the exercises I've been on have been cold and wet, so it's nice to be somewhere sunny."

39 Engineer Regiment are based in Scotland, dividing its role between the Aviation Brigade and the RAF.

Op Tosca units serve with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus while wearing the blue beret – the internationally recognised headgear of UN peacekeepers. It distinguishes them as a neutral third party, rather than combatants.

Lance Corporal Bird said it was a "bit weird" to wear it at first, because he'd been used to the dark blue general service beret. 

"But it feels good," he said. 

Vital importance

There are approximately 224 British peacekeepers working with 39 Engineer Regiment in Sector Two.

Attached units include reservists from 71 Engineer Regiment and The Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers.

The unarmed peacekeepers patrol the busiest section of the buffer zone, monitoring Turkish forces and Cypriot National Guard positions, and checking for violations.

Captain Mikey Owens said: "The British have been here since 1964 supporting the UN, and it's arguably one of the most important operations the British Army does.

"We've got a long history of being here."

For Capt Owens, whose grandfather served in Cyprus with 2 Queen's – now the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment – deployment here carries personal significance. 

"Unfortunately, he's not around anymore, but the fact that he's got that medal and hopefully I will qualify for it is really important," he said.