An Cosantóir

tutela bellicae virtutis | 15 TUTELA BELLICAE VIRTUTIS BY WESLEY BOURKE PHOTOGRAPHS BY LANCE BOMBARDIER JUSTIN GATT/AFM PRESS OFFICE Wesley speaks to 2nd Lt Aquilina Rene Custodians of Military Prowess I n recent years several members of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) have attended courses in Ireland with the Defence Forces. On a visit to Malta I met with four of these: Capt Joseph Pisani (22 Jnr C&S Course), and 2/Lts Chrisian Grech, Matthew 'Max' Agius, and Rene Aquilina (all 86th Cadet Class). The Maltese archipelago, with only 316kms2 of land sur- face and a population of 417,608, is strategically situated in the heart of the Mediterranean's sea lines of commu- nication. There are some interesting parallels between Malta and Ireland. The Normans conquered Malta in 1091, using it as their southern stronghold, and Malta had its own 1798 rebellion; although in their case it was against French rule. After the French were driven out Britain claimed Malta as a colony. For many, Malta's finest hour came during World War Two when the island, cut off from relief convoys by sea, held out in the face of relentless bombardment from the German and Italian air forces. In recognition of their brav- ery during the siege, King George VI awarded the Maltese people the George Cross, which is still displayed on the Maltese flag. Gaining independence in 1964, and becoming a republic in 1974, Malta declared neutrality in 1980 and joined the EU in 2004. The AFM, established in 1970 and structured on brigade lines, has a strength of just under 2,000 personnel and is comprised of AFM HQ, three regiments, an air wing, a mari- time squadron, and an emergency volunteer reserve force. Its roles include territorial defence and security, aid to the civil power, and projecting Malta's foreign policy by serving in peacekeeping and peace-building missions overseas. At present, there are 12 Maltese soldiers conducting anti-pira- cy operations with the Dutch Navy off the Somali coast as part of Operation 'Atalanta', and several in Uganda serving alongside Irish personnel as part of the EU Training Mission to Somalia. THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

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