Page 97 - Mercian Eagle 2013

five day AT packages which would accommodate 270 UN personnel over a four month period. I also had to oversee the planning and delivery of three weeks of expeds at the end of the tour (September 2013). This was so that soldiers could gain log book experience to further their AT development.
Palace followed by a few beers and some bar games. Friday morning was taken up with try activities before the participants returned to Nicosia on Friday afternoon.
The TRATT is quite an unusual position. We are based at Dhekelia, providing AT to the UN, but we ourselves were not UN, but British Forces Cyprus (BFC). Cyprus itself for those who have never been there is also an unusual place. The relaxed Cypriot way of life can be frustrating. Cypriots will often shrug their shoulders at
The sixteen Multi Activity Courses (MACs) that the TRATT ran during their deployment allowed the Sector 2 soldiers to take part in various activities. The soldiers were able to participate in dinghy sailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, mountain
biking, rock climbing and abseiling. We also put
on a try activity day where soldiers could pay to
try scuba diving with a local dive centre based
in Larnaca, a quad bike safari or an introduction
to horse riding. They could also participate in a
free activity such as archery or snorkelling (I was
fortunate to have a qualified archery instructor
on the TRATT team).
So how did the TRATT work? The groups
were split into three, one group would sea kayak
along the coast past Ayia Nappa, another group would windsurf at the Victor Beach Club which is located on the Eastern Sovereign Base Area (ESBA) behind Alexander Barracks and the other group would learn to sail Pico dinghies at Dhekelia Sailing Club. This was repeated on the Tuesday before the MAC headed up to Troodos Camp near Mount Olympus in the middle of the Island. The MAC participants stayed at Troodos on Tuesday and Wednesday night. Whilst at Troodos they took part in mountain biking, rock climbing and abseiling. On the Thursday evening the MAC returned to Dhekelia and had a barbecue provided by the chefs from Ledra
you and exclaim “Hey, this is Cyprus my friend.” as a reason why something hasn’t been done or to justify not doing something! The Cypriot people are very friendly, but it is useful to ‘know’ people in Cyprus. Everybody in Cyprus ‘knows’ someone who can do something. Sometimes it can be frustrating when the Cypriots, in an effort to be friendly and helpful do tell you not to do
or buy something as they ‘know’ someone who can do it for you or get it for you. However that’s the way Cyprus seems to work.
Reflections of the tour
I thoroughly enjoyed my time on Op TOSCA, it wasn’t a holiday or a “T shirt tour” as many say. It is hard work ensuring that you deliver what you promise, and ensuring standards don’t slip. If you are fortunate enough to be posted to Cyprus or undertake Op TOSCA, ensure that you make the most of every opportunity. Get involved, meet people and do things. I certainly did, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Late on Friday the 2nd of August 2013, Brigadier Wheeler arrived into Larnaca Airport Cyprus, to visit troops from the 4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment currently serving on Op TOSCA 18 as part of the Mobile Force Reserve (MFR). These 57 soldiers, who have been in post for well over 4 months, make up a 1/3 of a multi- national Force Reserve within the UN, specially trained to respond to situations of Public Disorder and ensure the security, as well as protection, of the UN Headquarters in Cyprus, based in Blue Beret Camp. They
are the only fully formed Reservist unit currently deployed on operations.
Brigadier Wheeler started his visit early on Saturday morning by visiting the MFR’s Headquarters where he was greeted by an Honour Guard of 8 members of the MFR, comprising soldiers from Argentina, Hungary, Slovakia and of course Britain. The MFR is the only unit within the United Nations Forces in Cyprus or UNFICYP that comprises soldiers from multiple different nationalities. He was soon whisked inside to share a coffee and meet the Command
team of the MFR. He met and enjoyed speaking to the MFR’s 2IC Capt Eduardo Cattaneo, who comes from Buenos Aires, Argentina and serves back home as a cavalry officer. Following this Brigadier Wheeler had a chance to sit down with
the Officers and Seniors of 4 MERCIAN to discuss their feelings on FR2020, the re- organisation of 4 MERCIAN and recruitment of the next generation of Reservists. This chat proved very enlightening and insightful, but all too brief, as it was soon over to Maj. Paul Walkley (OC MFR) to give the first brief
This was so that soldiers could gain log book experience to further their AT development.
OP TOSCA 18 – Brigadier Wheeler Visit to the Mobile Force Reserve – 2nd to 4th August 2013 by Lt L P WATTS AO MFR For OC MFR
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