Page 45 - 4RA Regimental Journal 2019-2020

4th Regiment Royal Artillery The return from Op TOSCA
During 2019, 11 Members of the Work- shop deployed as part of the United Nations on OP TOSCA in Cyprus for
6 months
The tour was split into two-month parts consisting of the West, Center and East with each having a Platoon. Most of the Workshop were deployed in the same Pla- toon starting in AO West, the largest area. Each Platoon was broken down into 3 sec- tions. 1 section would be on patrols which was a 5-hour drive or bike patrol check- ing over all the separate Turkish and Greek positions ensuring no violations were committed. Most days were quiet, and the main violations were dog walkers on the area or a position moving without inform- ing anyone. The other 2 sections would be part of the QRF (Quick Reaction Force) and carry out tasks needed in LPH (Ledra Palace Hotel) – this doubled as our rest time from patrolling.
Once our first 2 months were over, we moved to the AO Center which consisted of more of the same but with the addi- tion of guard as well. Patrolling the center was normally done on foot as areas were tight to drive down – in places the 2 bor- ders were less than 5 meters apart. During this phase, R&R and AT kicked in. We had the choice to either go home or stay out in Cyprus for our R&R and it was an even split between those who stayed and those returning home to see loved ones. AT had a choice of either rock-climbing, kayaking and mountain biking which you did for a week and was a good break from the daily routine of being part of Ops Company.
The final 2 months we were in AO East and for the most it was very similar to the West
LCpl Walker
apart from we had much more free time and could enjoy having a couple drinks on our nights off (if we weren’t on duty the following day!!). Over the 6 months, personnel from the Workshop took part in most of the activities that were offered to us from orienteering competitions to sporting tournaments all over the island –
we really tried to follow the Corps ethos of ‘work hard play hard.’ On reflection it was a hugely enjoyable experience and one which we would all put our names forward for should the opportunity arise again.
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