British Troops In Cyprus Prepare For UN's Most Dangerous Operation
1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards are preparing for UN peacekeeping duties in Mali later this year by training in Cyprus.
Sian Grzeszczyk Melbourne is an award-winning journalist with more than 17 years of experience, including nearly a decade reporting for the BBC. She was based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus for two years, is a military spouse and was the first British journalist to fly in a US Army Apache attack helicopter and even briefly take the controls. Sian specialises in covering the RAF, politics, military chiefs and military royal engagements.
1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards are preparing for UN peacekeeping duties in Mali later this year by training in Cyprus.
People identified within priority groups will receive the vaccine in the first phase of the rollout which is expected to begin next week.
Forces News joined drug detection dog Molly as she searched an aircraft more than 147ft in length at RAF Akrotiri.
British Sovereign Base Areas on the island remain in the EU customs territory, unlike the UK.
Gyms and mess dining facilities will also be kept open behind the wire. The equivalent facilities are closed in the rest of Cyprus.
The Postal & Courier Troop at RAF Akrotiri is working around the clock to ensure all personnel receive their post by Christmas Day.
The battalion is the first to move as a unit to a different country during the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 restrictions in Cyprus meant the handover ceremony on Wednesday was very low key.
Group Captain Sonia Phythian was at Windsor Castle when she was told she was going to be recognised for her work during the pandemic.
Some of the concepts and equipment the Royal Marines have been using in Cyprus could become part of the Future Commando Force.
The two-year posting to Cyprus was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
New measures include restricting the movements of military families at select bases, with curfews from 20:00 to 05:00 each night.
They cycled 153km across the Mediterranean island to raise funds for two charities.
7 Rifles Battlegroup passed on duties to 6 Rifles Battlegroup during a historic ceremony in Nicosia.
The dogs and their handlers are deployed across the British bases on the island.
The UK reservists have spent the last six months in the eastern Mediterranean acting as United Nations peacekeepers.