The year in review-Cyprus

Cyprus

LIFE IN THE MOBILE FORCE RESERVE
By Sgt. S.J. Gilkinson,
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)

There is no better example of a multinational peacekeeping force than the Mobile Force Reserve. In common with all UN peacekeeping operations, UNFICYP is a colorful mixture of customs and cultures and the Reserve is a prime example of this.

The Mobile Force Reserve was formed in 1997 from the previously known Permanent Force Reserve to give the Force Commander a flexible and well equipped response to any situation that may arise in the buffer zone.

Manpower - 105 in total - is made up of soldiers of five nations: Argentina, Austria, Holland, Hungary and the United Kingdom. Every aspect of the Reserve is multinational. There is a British officer commanding, an Argentinean second-in-command and platoon commanders from Argentina, Austria, Holland and the UK.

The company consists of four platoons. Three of these are multinational rifle platoons. The fourth is an all Argentinean armoured personnel carrier platoon with their TACTICA APC's adding a welcome Latin touch.

The Reserve is based within UNFICYP headquarters in Nicosia where one of the three rifle platoons looks after camp security, carries out internal and perimeter patrols and provides a quick reaction force on a 24/7 basis.

The second rifle platoon carries out mobile patrol and reece duties, assisting all three sectors. It is not uncommon to see an Argentinean soldier patrolling in British sector 2, a Dutch soldier patrolling in the Austrian area of responsibility or a pair of soldiers from Austria and Hungary in the hills of Argentinean sector 1. These patrols give the soldiers a valuable opportunity to experience all parts of the buffer zone and to see exactly how other nationalities go about the business of peacekeeping. The patrols platoon also provides lifeguards at the Dolphin Swimming Pool and manpower for any approved military or labour tasks in support to UNFICYP headquarters.

The third rifle platoon is on training and standby phase. During this phase, crowd control training is perfected at our training camp. We have recently completed air manoeuvre training in preparation for any quick response to rapid deployment orders. And we are kept busy doing plenty of in-theatre training, covering subjects like mine recognition, first aid, driver training and weapon handling.

The platoons rotate every 21 days.

The opportunity to work closely with soldiers from other nations has brought a new understanding and respect for each other's militaries and cultures. The location of the Reserve in the headquarters has also allowed some opportunities for cultural exchanges on a social level, including countless barbecues, ANZAC Day and a popular event organized by the Argentinians called "Bandidos". Sports competitions also play a large part of team building within the Reserve and the impressive array of silverware and medals at the company office speaks volumes for the achievements of both individuals and teams alike during the last six months.