AFM team returns from anti-piracy duties off Somalia

by Gozo News · December 3, 2011

Twelve soldiers of the Armed Forces of Malta have earlier today returned from a tour of duty, serving on Operation ‘Atalanta’ off the coast of Somalia.

During this tour, the AFM soldiers (3 from Maritime Squadron’s Rapid Deployment Team, and the remainder from 1 regiment’s ‘C’ Special Duties company) conducted operations providing protection to World Food Program (WFP) vessels that were delivering essential food aid to the people of Somalia.

Operation ‘Atalanta’ acts in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions, and provides protection against pirate action groups to vulnerable vessels sailing off the coast of Somalia

The Maltese soldiers served on board the Dutch Navy’s vessel HNLMS Zuiderkruis, which is a fast resupply support ship on its last deployment after 36 years of service. The AFM’s vessel protection detachment (VPD) on board also acted as deterrence and repression against acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea.

This mission is important to the protection of world trade and commerce as well as ensuring the safe delivery of food aid to the people of Somalia.

Sergeant Christopher Brimmer of Maritime Squadron AFM commented on his arrival that “this has been a most satisfying experience, as I have been able to contribute military skills to a greater cause, that of alleviating human suffering.”

The contingent’s commander, Major Nicholas Cassar said “it took well over 18 months of training to get here, which training included vessel protection duties, ship boarding drills, enhanced Close Quarter Battle (CQB) and skill at arms training, medic, and radio communications training. These also sees the employment of other skills such as sniping, spotting, and defence photography.”

The Maltese VPD 2011 team had previously already deployed overseas for the first time on a trip to Libya’s Tripoli harbour onboard AFM patrol vessel P61, as a force protection element.

For this EU NAVFOR “Atalanta” deployed to Mombasa in Kenya on October 25th, 2011 to link up with HNLMS Zuiderkruis, when they were at various states of readiness to deploy. The VPD’s subaltern, Lieutenat Pasquale Papa added that “the tour provided valid joint operations experience, and continued to enhance the excellent cooperation with the Dutch forces.”