On Saturday 15th of April 2023, a parade was held to present Operation TOSCA 37 medals to those personnel from 10 The Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (QOGLR) who had deployed to Cyprus for this important long running security operation.
Lieutenant General R Wardlaw OBE (Colonel Commandant of the Brigade of Gurkhas (BG)) presented the well-deserved UN peace keeping medals to all the deployed forces in front of their families and guests. The parade was witnessed by wider regimental families and various high ranking military officers including Brigadier PS Reehal MBE (Colonel QOGLR), Colonel D Robinson (Colonel BG), and Colonel PA Allen ADC (Colonel Royal Logistic Corps). The musical support was provided by The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.
During the Deployment Gurkhas from QOGLR provided highly professional military security to the area and members of the QOGLR have been recognised separately with Commendations and Commanders coins.
Operation TOSCA is the name given to the British contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Since 1974, the British Army has been deployed to Cyprus, the UK’s contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. As one of the longest-running continuous operations, around 260 soldiers from the British Army form the largest contingent of the multinational force. In an area of continuing tension, they patrol 24/7 along the Buffer Zone that separates the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Keeping the peace and maintaining stability in the country. The Buffer Zone, which is also called ‘the Green Line’, extends approximately 180km across the island.
In some parts of old Nicosia it is only a few meters wide, while in other areas it is a few kilometres wide. The area is restricted to the general public and no Greek or Turkish Cypriots are allowed inside. It is often described as “frozen in time”, containing relics of times gone by — old abandoned houses, cars and even an airport. This is because the residents of the now Buffer Zone were forced to flee due to the increased conflict, with little time to even grab personal belongings.
By Mr M Latter, head of Communications, HQ Brigade of Gurkhas
