Ready to hit the ground running: Coldstream Guards arrive in Cyprus for peacekeeping mission
The oldest continuously serving regiment in the British Army has landed in Cyprus ready to take over peacekeeping duties with the United Nations.
The first of the Coldstream Guards landed at RAF Akrotiri before moving to their new home in Nicosia.
For the next six months, Guardsman will patrol the Green Line buffer zone on Op Tosca in the divided capital city.
The tour is Britain's permanent role in Sector 2 for the longstanding United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.
"We've been training for the last few months about what to expect," said Lieutenant Guy Tillson, 2 Company.
"We're ready to hit the ground running."
The Coldstream Guards are taking over from a mixed unit of reservists assigned to 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Most recognisable for its role guarding King Charles at Buckingham Palace, 1st Battalion will now come under the direction of the United Nations, protecting the fragile peace in Cyprus.
"It's different but also very similar," said Lt Tillson. "Our primary role is guarding the King, but within that, it's ceremonial marching and drill movements, acting in extreme precision and the highest detail.
"That will be replicated on Op Tosca, where we need to notice the small changes and patterns of life," he added.
Around a third of the international peacekeeping force is from the British Army.
Set up in 1964, UNFICYP is one of the world's oldest peacekeeping missions, preventing further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
The 180km Green Line buffer zone follows the ceasefire lines after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
Leaders from the southern internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus and Turkish-backed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have met on numerous occasions seeking a resolution to the so-called "Cyprus Problem".
"Our ultimate only goal is to maintain peace and ensure we are doing a good role as peacekeepers," said Lt Tillson.
This year, the Coldstream Guards mark the 375th anniversary of their formation.
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