It was all change for soldiers of the Coldstream Guards in Windsor when they swapped their khaki guards berets for cerulean blue.
The Coldstream Guards and their attached units came together at Victoria Barracks in Windsor for a day of conceptual development and mission briefs.
Guardsman Dennison and Guardsman Bainikoro stands proudly during United Nations Beret parade.
The Coldstream Guards and their attached units on parade.
The Coldstream Guards and their attached units on parade.
Guardsman Dennison stands proudly placing his United Nations Beret on during parade.
Lieutenant Colonel Edwards Michell, Commanding Officer of The Coldstream Guards briefing his troops during parade.
Gone was the blue red blue Household Division flash and the Garter Star Capstar. In its place the soldiers wore the white badge of a map of the world which signifies the United Nations (UN).
The dramatic change of headgear was the final step in the dual role soldiers training and preparation prior to deploying on peacekeeping duties in Cyprus. They will be the latest force to take up the role on Operation Tosca, one of the longest ongoing military operations in history.
Once the soldiers were formally presented with and wore the United Nations’ blue beret, it marked the transition from regular military duties to peacekeeping operations, where soldiers must adapt their mindset to diplomacy and tact. UN peacekeeping operations, like the one in Cyprus, often involve patrolling a buffer zone between opposing forces, highlighting the need for peacekeepers to be vigilant and focused.
"It's mostly been a lot of negotiating, speaking to people, learning about emotional intelligence."
Operation Tosca is an unaccompanied six-month UN tour of duty and the soldiers are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Buffer Zone that runs between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots including the capital Nicosia, which is the last city in the world to be divided by a demilitarised zone. The Buffer Zone is 180km long and varies in width from just five meters to seven kilometres. It lies between the Greek Cypriot National Guard on the southern ceasefire line and Turkish Forces on the northern line.
Cyprus has been divided by a buffer zone since the 1974 Turkish response to a Greek military coup. For more than 50 years, two opposing forces of around 60,000 troops, have jealously scrutinised and protested against each other’s every move. The UN troops are all that stands between them, maintaining a ceasefire and reporting infringements whenever they occur. A crucial element of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus troops’ work is building up relationships with the opposing forces; getting to know the individuals and understanding the background to why things have happened so they can be resolved quickly and fairly.
Alongside their ceremonial activities including celebrating the 375th Anniversary of the Coldstream Guards, receiving their new Colours from His Majesty King Charles III at Windsor and the King’s Birthday Parade, the guardsmen have spent the last few months in pre-deployment training to ensure they are completely prepared.
"It's mostly been a lot of negotiating, speaking to people, learning about emotional intelligence,” said Sergeant Dean Northam
Being dual role troops really helps in this regard. Household Division soldiers are already well versed with dealing with the public and diplomatic engagement from their time on ceremonial duties.
The Coldstream Guards and their attached units came together at Victoria Barracks in Windsor for a day of conceptual development and mission briefs back at the start of August. The day culminated in a short parade and an address from the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Michell, who praised their hard work in recent months and urged them to remember the lessons they had learnt, but also to build on them, not just for Operation Tosca but for future operations to come.
With both his endorsement and exhortation to keep improving fresh in the memory, they prepared to depart the barracks to enjoy a period of well deserved leave with families and friends. In blue berets they head off this month to Cyprus as UN Peacekeepers, both proud of their long and distinguished past and prepared for the challenges of the future.
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