Maltese soldiers awarded commemorative medal

Twelve soldiers of the Armed Forces of Malta were earlier today awarded Commemorative Medal Peace Operations from the Dutch Minister of Defence for their tour of duty as part of the EU NAVFOR’s joint operation ‘ATALANTA’ off the Horn of Africa.

They returned from serving off the coast of Somalia last Saturday, the December of 3rd, 2011. 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. 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.

Operation ‘Atalanta’ acts in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions, and provides protection against pirate action groups to vulnerable vessels sailing in the Red 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. Major Nicholas Cassar led the Maltese VPD 2011 tea, who had also 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. The AFM VPD 2011’s medals were presented by by Vice Admiral Matthieu Borsboom, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy (http://www.defensie.nl/english/navy/organisation/commander/ ^[1] ). Also present were the Dutch Ambassador and Parliamentary Secretary, Dr. Chris Said.

Photo by Justin Gatt/AFM Press Office – Medal Presentation onboard HNLMS Zuderkruis Vessel.