Page 12 - Bugle Issue 20 Autumn 2022

1 RIFLES
OP TOSCA 35
1 RIFLES deployed on OP TOSCA between September 2021 and April 2022. The Bn supported S2 and the Mobile Force Reserve (MFR) of the United Nations Forces in Cyprus. During the six months of operations and one month of isolation the Riflemen were given the opportunity to explore new parts of the world, conduct adventurous training, and serve operationally as peacekeepers.
Cyprus remains a divided island with Nicosia being the only capitol city in Europe split down the middle. OP TOSCA is in place to support the military component of UNFYCIP which aims to maintain the status quo between the two OPFOR, ‘Turkish Forces’ in the north and the ‘National Guard’ in the Republic of Cyprus.
A bolstered C Coy became the ‘Operations Company’ for Sector 2. They patrolled the buffer-zone (BZ) ensuring the UN resolutions were upheld in the BZ. They also responded to emergencies such as fire, UZO and illegal migrant activity in the BZ. The Riflemen exemplified the thinking Rifleman’s approach using MS Teams to update the Ops Room on any development in real time. In routine, the Ops Coy were responsible for guard and for mounting a sector quick reaction force which was stood up several times to respond to fires and public demonstrations. Ops Coy made use of the AT in Cyprus ranging from skydiving, mountain biking, scuba-diving and sailing.
Influence House (another component
of Op TOSCA) was a team of 3 x Captains, 3
x Colour Serjeants and 3 x Corporals who acted as liaison officers to the Turkish Forces, National Guard and civilian actors in the area of operations. Each liaison officer was
responsible for picking up violations reported by the Ops Coy and bringing it to the attention of their respective OPFOR. The suite of leverage available to the Liaison Officer ranged from a stern conversation to a strongly written letter of protest. A key task was building rapport
and trust between the OPFOR and the Liaison Officers ensuring a functional relationship.
S Coy took up the mantle of being the Force Commander’s Mobile Reserve (MFR.) In this role they were maintained on readiness to deploy to incidents across the BZ. They were also able to conduct AT and lots of decent training. The clerks, chefs, MT and engineers were also integral to the whole operation ensuring that the TOSCA force was adequately administered at all times.
Members of 1 RIFLES should
be proud of the
role they played in the UN’s mission to maintain peace in the area
The OP TOSCA contingent was recognised for their hard work with a parade in
London through the cenotaph during UN Peacekeeper’s Day which was a reminder of the sacrifice and vital role UN peacekeepers have had and still have today. Many ask why the UK deploy individuals to Cyprus when there is no conflict there, but perhaps it is because we deploy individual to Cyprus that there is no conflict. Members of 1 RIFLES should be proud of the role they played in the UN’s mission to maintain
peace in the area.
Capt John Heath, C Coy
12 RIFLES The Bugle