March Rotation in Cyprus

There are two rotations – in September and March – each year in the multinational Sector 4 of UNFICYP. The rotation period is a special and intensive one both for the personnel continuing the service and the soldiers returning home and arriving here. There is only one week available for implementing the transfer of authority between the personnel serving in key positions, and for ensuring the smooth execution of the tasks of the mission-related tasks during this period. Accordingly, the 27 soldiers who arrived in Cyprus on March 22 immediately started to familiarize themselves with their duties.

In accordance with the schedule of the rotational period, the newly arrived soldiers receive a training which covers all special fields from the safety rules of helicopter flight to the UNFICYP standard operating procedures, driving practice as well as the responsibilities for personnel, logistics and health care.

Besides classroom instruction, the six-week training for the patrols focuses on acquiring a detailed knowledge of the Buffer Zone and identifxing violations of the ceasefire. The training closes with an examination.

The MOLO course was organized for the UNFICYP military observer and liaison officers in the week of the rotation. During a joint training, MOLOs of all sectors had opportunity to acquire the knowledge that is indispensable for their task execution. They learnt about the Buffer Zone under the guidance of MOLOs to be relieved, and got to know the liaison officers of other sectors in contact with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot armed forces, which serves as a token of effective cooperation in the future.