As part of the events commemorating the Armed Forces of Malta’s 40th Anniversary, a first-ever Open Day was held yesterday in Gozo, at Mgarr Harbour.

The set-up stands were visited earlier on Saturday morning by the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono and the Acting President Dr. Anton Tabone, who had the occasion to meet Gozitan AFM personnel employed in various roles. They were shown around by Commander AFM, Brigadier Martin G. Xuereb and Colonel Martin Bondin, head of HQ AFM’s administration and personnel branch.

The AFM’s Maritime Squadron berthed at Mgarr Harbour its flagship, the Diciotti-class P-61, one of four new Austal-class Inshore Patrol Boats, and a Vittoria-class fast rescue-launch as well. The stands featured weapons and equipment displays, besides information on the units represented and their respective roles and duties in the AFM.

A casualty-recovery demonstration was performed midstream in the harbour between scheduled ferry-boats trips, which saw a simulated person-in-distress aided by an AFM Air Wing rescue-swimmer, who were both then recovered by a purposely dispatched overflying Alouette rescue-helicopter, sporting its new all-military grey livery.

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono and HE Dr. Tabone were taken onboard the Diciotti and Austal vessels and shown around the various specialized equipment by acting Lieutenant Colonel Wallace Camilleri, Commanding Officer of Maritime Squadron. Later in the afternoon, the Maritime Squadron’s Rapid Deployment Team performed a boarding search-seizure operation’s demonstration midstream in the harbour.

Photographs by Owen Formosa – AFM Martime Squadron.

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