Reservists ambush 'invaders' in annual training camp

With part-time Maltese militia soldiers having played a heroic part in the Great Siege of 1565 and the uprising against the French in 1798, plus having later distinguished themselves during the Second World War, the Armed Forces of Malta's reservists perpetuate a long and honourable tradition of voluntary, part-time military service.

AFM reservists have just concluded their annual week-long camp, where their training culminates in military exercises and manoeuvres out in the field.

The camp was held at Pembroke Ranges with the aim of improving their administrative prowess in the field. The reservists practised patrolling and convoy techniques, setting up local defence, camouflage and concealment, as well as conducting anti-aircraft gunnery drills.

An infantry exercise, dubbed "Conquering Prowler" was held in the Miżieb area, limits of Mellieħa, and focused on the reservists' ambush techniques on an "invading" force that landed in the north.

The AFM's Emergency Volunteer Reserve Force (EVRF) was set up in 1998 to perform a range of roles and to relieve or reinforce the AFM's regular force in an emergency.

With an initial intake of 60 volunteers from all walks of life, including seven women, the reservists have, over time, integrated well with the regular soldiers. Their adaptability and flexibility to the wide range of roles has been their hallmark, both for military tasks and civil emergencies such as rainwater flood relief. Their most significant operational engagement was during the CHOGM in November 2005, when they augmented the regular force's troops involved with airport security.

In recent years, they have also been utilised in manning the ceremonial parades' saluting guns during major festivities or commemorations.

In their eagerness to serve, one major hurdle they still have to constantly tackle is their full-time work commitments.

Even medical doctors are enlisted in the EVRFs, and with the training they receive as back-up support in civil emergencies for disaster relief, simple guarding of key points becomes an interesting challenge for them.

The EVRF reservists' minimum annual requirement as part-time volunteers is to train at week-ends once monthly and for a period of the annual camp lasting eight days. On average, some 40 training periods are held over the year. Occasionally, reservists move on to enlisting in the regular force as gunners or officer-cadets.