AFM officers to join Georgia mission

Captain MC GALEA (AFM (retd)

Sep 27th 2008, 15:53

To the people denigrating the officer in question. If you have any doubts about the fitness of the person in the picture, I am sure he would be more than happy to take you on. I'm also sure he would turn you any which way but lose, my (not on your life) friend.That's not a belt, but a flak jacket that you're looking at. I know what it's like to serve in the AFM, and it is hard, considering that we have to deal with people like you all the time. If you know better, feel free to join up, even as an EVRF, and the reality you will face will shock you. The fierce pride in serving, despite all the shortages is the biggest shocker for maltese gemgem. There is a commitment taken on by soldiers, which is very hard to find in Malta.
Oh, and these overseas deployments are done, despite all the shortages, because this is how soldiers gain experience, knowledge, and pride. Thanks is not something a soldier expects, but gratuitous comments are most certainly not welcome..

Roger Baldacchino

Sep 22nd 2008, 10:24

Wll done, the AFM. We wish you all the luck. I believe that our soldiers are very well prepared and contrary to the negative comments, sound individuals with a vast professional knowledge will be sent. The officer in the pic has done a great job abroad and it s thanks to individuals like him and the others in support that make us a better nation. For once we are effectively contributing to a EU initiative.

Liam Schembri

Sep 21st 2008, 19:37

C (SD) Coy does not deal with the direct issue of illegal immigrants but with riot control. The €2300 are given to them by the UN not by the government. It is a very good pay but that does not mean that it's a cushy job with no danger whatsoever.. but that's what soldiers are for. That is what we signed up for. Let them help build again the reputation that we once had

Joseph E Briffa

Sep 21st 2008, 07:09

Charles Sammut; why don't you go for it, if it's so lucrative?

George Pisani

Sep 21st 2008, 05:21

On many occasions I wanted to put a comment but reframed from doing so because I do not live in Malta, but this is different. I served with the Australian Forces in Vietnam and on UN peace keeping, in my 37 years service, so I know first hand what it is like to be volunteered for a UN Peacekeeping Force. It is obvious to me that the some people who have made comment on this article do not know what they are taking about. If you think that war or peace keeping is a fun holiday you are mistaken! As for the position of the belt of the soldier in the photo, I ask Mister Charles Sammut (a name I have seen often in these comments) to look again. He may see that this soldier, proudly wearing the Maltese Flag on his arm, is wearing a bullet proof vest! That is, my friend, the reason for the position of the belt. I suggest that if you and the others with negative thoughts keep them to yourselves. The last thing a soldier deployed overseas need is to see is these thoughts.

joseph cachia

Sep 20th 2008, 23:13

I'm very proud of AFM.
Only RUSSIAN's have a right to be there to monitor and keep an eye on the american puppet
country president.
Our government is very naive and still suffer from servitude to swallow the bait and send AFM
there.

M Azzopardi

Sep 20th 2008, 20:43

Officers like these make me PROUD.

I wish them all the very best.

B Gauci

Sep 20th 2008, 20:09

...and they say that our AFM resources are highly stretched due to their work in connection with illegal immigration!

Ray Arpa

Sep 20th 2008, 19:58

These volunteers deserve the support of all of us Maltese citizens, so do all the other members of the Armed Forces. With their very limited resources and nowithstanding their mammoth task of handling the huge amount of illegal immigrants, they still serve our tiny nation with full commitment.

Having all the above mentioned challenges, AFM and its personnel still try to contribute to the international community.

So. million thanks to all AFM staff, million thanks to these volunteers. May God protect you.

May I invite all AFM staff who would like to join the Ghaqda Dipendenti Suldati to contact the undersign.

Ray Arpa
International Affairs, Media & PR
Ghaqda Dipendenti Suldati
E-mail: rayarpa@onvol.net
Mobile 79496259

Charles Sammut

Sep 20th 2008, 17:27

@ Joseph E Briffa

With an extra allowance of about EUR2300.00 per month for 4 months, over and above the normal salary, wouldn't you "volunteer" as well?

I can only assume that it was the "best" 2 officers who got this prize posting. It also seem that they get to be very well fed, judging by the position of the belt on the guy looking through the binoculars.

Michael Vella

Sep 20th 2008, 16:40

@ John Bonello

I assure you the Georgians would rather have the AFM than someone like you help them. The AFM do all they can with the resources available to them and in doing so they do a fanatstic job. I have witnessed this first hand some years ago and am eternally grateful to them. So before passing your comments think about the sterling job they perform on a daily basis!!!

Good luck in Georgia boys!!

D Zammit

Sep 20th 2008, 16:26

It's us who can't put our minds at rest with your comments

l Galea

Sep 20th 2008, 16:13

Why not use these "observers" to prevent illegal immigrants from landing in Malta?

Joseph E Briffa

Sep 20th 2008, 15:17

How childish Jon Bonello..... don't you realise that these are volunteers?

John Bonello

Sep 20th 2008, 13:10

Now the Georgians can put their put their minds at rest.