Page 93 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

Op TOSCA is the British Commitment to the United Nations Peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). UNFICYP is one of the longest-running UN Peacekeeping missions. It was set up in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island and bring about a return to normal conditions. Since a de facto ceasefire in August 1974, UNFICYP has supervised the ceasefire lines; provided humanitarian assistance; and maintained a buffer zone between the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot forces in the north and the Greek Cypriot forces in the south. The ceasefire lines extend over 180 kilometres across the island. The buffer zone is fur- ther broken down in to sectors 1, 2 and 4. These are controlled by various nations. The UK’s commitment controls Sector 2.
In July 2021 I promoted to WO2 and took up a new post as the Deputy property Manager in Nicosia on Op TOSCA. This role was established to help facilitate the UN’s use of British Retained Site (BRS), a 170-acre estate within in the United Nations Protected Area. My role was to look after the BRS ensuring the safe and
continued use by the UN as well as all the servicing and maintenance provisions that come along with it. The estate is mainly baron wasteland but does offer various wel- fare provisions for use by the UK and wider UN forces. There are 30 family’s accom- modation houses occupied by the perma- nent staff, a 25m barrack range, sports pitches, squash courts, and the swimming pool. Little did I expect to become a pool manager on my arrival. I am now officially a lifeguard instructor having completed my Training assessors in Dhekelia earlier in the year. The course taught me vari- ous lifesaving skills as well extensive CPR and Defibrillator use to provide immedi- ate lifesaving first aid should it be needed. Having more armbands than weapons on your account must be the pinnacle of my career. Straight in at the deep end, I had to learn estates and all the policy surround- ing it to try and keep myself ahead of the game. It has been a steep learning curve but one I have enjoyed thoroughly. In the absence of my OC for 10 months, I stepped up to SO2 G1/G4 Property Manager until his replacement in July 2022. This really did open my eyes as I was the SPOC for all estate matters for the BRS. Having sat on many infrastructure meetings, I have a better understanding of the wider force and understand how funding is allocated and the processes for bringing projects to completions.
One of my highlights was being awarded 50k from the NAAFI fund trust to build a Multi-Use Games Area on the married estate. This is now the showpiece of the estate and offers a sports and recreational facility for the community and wider force to use for the future. In August 2022 it was decided that we need the old RQMS posi- tion back and I was successfully loaded on to a course in Nov 22. I am now doing the full function of both RQ (Main) and (Technical). As the RQMS for Op TOSCA, I help facilitate the Urban Roulement
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
RQMS, Op TOSCA
91
Regiments 6-month deployment as well as manage the small EE for Op TOSCA. The HCR are due in March 23, I look forward to welcoming them to the Cypriot summer.
My 4 years is up in July 23, we as a family have really enjoyed our time on this won- derful island. Having spent the best part of my early career deployed, I have missed births, birthdays, anniversaries and often seen my children growing up via E-Bluey photos. The opportunity to spend 4 years seeing them mature into young teenagers has been amazing and I am thankful to be able to have done this in such a won- derful environment. Working alongside
other Capbadges, Nations and locals both Cypriot and Turkish has been amazing, I have learned a great deal about myself, and I look forward to seeing all my fam- ily and friends upon my
return.
BM