This morning the AFM’s Special Duties Enhanced Boarding Team (SDEBT) made up of three Officers and 19 Other Ranks gathered at Maritime Squadron before leaving for their deployment off the coast of Somalia.
Visibly moved and holding Maltese flags, the families of the soldiers, attended this morning’s informal farewell event.
The Minister Dr Manuel Mallia together with the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta and H.E the Dutch Ambassador Mr Robbert J.Gabrielse, met the soldiers individually, auguring the best for the upcoming mission. 
Minister Dr Manuel Mallia thanked the soldiers for volunteering for such an important mission that will surely bring honour not only to themselves but to the country they represent. The minister also made reference to the families of the soldiers that have moulded men that are able to shoulder responsibility and commitment during military operations overseas.
Brigadier Martin G Xuereb also made reference to months of professional training behind such a mission, making the Maltese soldiers prepared for a deployment of this proportion. His Excellency, the Dutch Ambassador to Malta Mr Robbert J.Gabrielse said that this is yet another example of combined effort by the two countries to combat piracy through collaboration at all levels between the two countries.
This is the third time that the AFM is participating with troops as part of EU NAVFOR Atalanta off the coast of Somalia.
The Maltese soldiers celebrated their departure with a cake made especially for the occasion and following some light refreshments they made their way for the last hugs with their close relatives. A Dutch Navy landing craft was awaiting at the Maritime Squadron Base to transfer the Maltese contingent onto the Dutch Navy Mother ship, HNLMS Johan de Witt
Later on the Day the Director for Defence Matters Dr Joanne Mercieca together with H.E the Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands signed a memorandum of understanding between the two countries onboard the Duty Navy Vessel HNLMS Johan de Witt.
The AFM’s Special Duties Enhanced Boarding Team together with their Dutch counterparts participated in several training evolutions just off the Grand Harbour later in the afternoon.
The EU is one of the international actors contributing to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions, which urge states to increase and coordinate their efforts to deter acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia.
The role of the EU NAVFOR ATALANTA is to contribute to deter piracy and armed robbery in the region with a view to strengthen the security within the area of operations. Specific roles performed in priority order include: The protection of World Food Programme (WFP) vessels delivering aid to displaced persons in Somalia, and the protection of African Union Mission on Somalia (AMISOM) shipping.
The protection of vulnerable shipping off the Somali coast on a case by case basis. In addition, the EU NAVFOR also contributes to the monitoring of fishing activities off the coast of Somalia. The deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the Somali coast.
Photographs – AFM Press Office.