AFM pilots' 25th anniversary

In 1972, the Armed Forces of Malta had trained its first group of helicopter pilots and technicians in Fassberg, Germany. In the 1980s, the AFM decided to have a second group of men train locally under instructors from the Italian Military Mission...

In 1972, the Armed Forces of Malta had trained its first group of helicopter pilots and technicians in Fassberg, Germany. In the 1980s, the AFM decided to have a second group of men train locally under instructors from the Italian Military Mission (IMM) and the Task Force AFM's Helicopter Flight.

The five student-pilots who completed their training in June 1983 were: Captain (now Brigadier) Carmel Vassallo, Staff-Sergeant (later Major) Joseph Abdilla, Bombardier (later Captain) Michael Farrugia, and Gunners (later Captains) Paul Gauci and Anthony Zammit.

Maltese pilot-instructor Lieutenant (later Lieutenant-Colonel) Joseph Smith and Warrant-Officer (later Major) Ronnie Xuereb also provided key training to the student-pilots ahead of their theory and flight exams at the Italian Air Force Academy in Frosinone. Department of Civil Aviation's Joseph Sultana and Anthony Gatt were also at hand for other tuition.

This week's 25th anniversary commemorating the award of their wings saw a reunion with one of their instructors, General Antonio Laruccia, at the AFM's Officers' Mess in Luqa Barracks.

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