Be the first to comment!AFM Officer Cadet off HMS Illustrious at Maritime Squadron
 Email item
|  Print item
|
|
Twenty eight Officer Cadets currently attending the commissioning course at the Brittania Royal Naval College [BRNC] in Dartmouth visited the AFM Maritime Squadron. Amongst the group was AFM Officer Cadet Benjamin Vassallo, of one of the non British Cadets currently attending the Commissioning Course in the UK.
Lt Col Wallace Camilleri, commanding officer of the Maritime Squadron welcomed the group, following which they were briefed on the duties of the AFM Maritime Squadron which range from Maritime Law Enforcement to Fisheries protection. The officer cadets also visited the Squadron’s Search and Rescue Launches and briefed on SAR operations.
Every intake of cadets at the UK naval academy has to spend time out at sea cadets on board a Navy vessel on a tour of duty to get the much needed hands-on experience. During the 4 week deployment, the Officer Cadets will form part of Cougar 12, a Response Force Task Group which comprises of a series of naval assets exercising alongside other forces within the Mediterranean region.
Currently all Officer Cadets enlisted in the Armed Forces of Malta in 2012 are undergoing training in European academies in preparation for their Commission as Officer in the Armed Forces of Malta. In addition to Officer Cadet Vassallo, two other Maltese Officers Cadets are undergoing training in the UK. Officer Cadet Joseph Tabone is half way through his 12 month Commissioning Course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst whilst Officer Cadet Simon Attard is completing the Commissioning Course at the Royal Air Force Academy in Cranwell. Officer Cadet Attard is the first Officer Cadet from the Armed Forces of Malta to attend this course.
Concurrently another three Officer Cadets, Christian Busuttil, Marlon Vassallo and Adriano Farrugia are at the moment attending the 89th Cadet Course in Curragh Camp in Ireland.
The UK and Ireland are not the only nations that support the Armed Forces of Malta in their efforts to provide training opportunities for her personnel. The United States and Italy are equally committed to assist the AFM with the provision of training in a number of areas which amongst other include, Infantry related courses, Explosive Ordinance Disposal and Combined Strategic Intelligence.
