Maltese hands on deck
Second Lieutenant Amadeo Busuttil and Gunner Brian Sciberras have just participated in a training exercise aboard HMS Illustrious, liaising with the aircraft carrier at its homeport in Portsmouth, England, before it sailed to the Indian Ocean. Its...
Second Lieutenant Amadeo Busuttil and Gunner Brian Sciberras have just participated in a training exercise aboard HMS Illustrious, liaising with the aircraft carrier at its homeport in Portsmouth, England, before it sailed to the Indian Ocean. Its passage also included a call at Grand Harbour.
The two soldiers boarded the aircraft carrier during its Flag Officer Sea Training, during which the crew goes through drills simulating different scenarios. This also ensures that the aircraft carrier's forces are prepared for immediate despatch in a threat area.
Second Lieutenant Busuttil explained that the Indian Ocean is in fact considered to be a threat area. So much so, that the training exercise lasted longer than expected, he continued.
On a lighter note, he recounted that, upon leaving its homeport, a gathering of locals waved the aircraft carrier off. The ship had to return to port three mornings later due to a malfunctioning freezer, leaving the locals flabbergasted.
The AFM personnel gained hands-on experience in the aircraft carrier's different departments, understanding the general procedure of how each of them operates. These included the hangar, the electronics and the radio workshops, the air weapons workshop, the mechanical workshop, the logistics department, the operations room, the flight control room, the bridge and the engine room.
Second Lieutenant Busuttil said that the training received on board serves to improve the men's leadership and man-management skills while increasing their awareness on board vessels. It also allowed them to keep abreast of the technologies and the modus operandi onboard. According to the aircraft carrier's website, she is the second of three Invincible Class aircraft carriers and the fifth ship to bear her name. She was built at Swan Hunters and commissioned in 1982.
Her motto, Vox Non Incerta, is derived from the biblical passage "For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?" Hence, the motto, No Uncertain Sound, suits the ship well.