MOU signed between army and US coastguard

Cooperation between the US Coastguard and the Armed Forces of Malta will be enhanced following the signing of a memorandum of understanding this morning between Vice Admiral Robert Papp, Commander Atlantic Area, and Brigadier Carmel Vassallo.

Brigadier Vassallo said that it was through the support of the US that the Maritime Squad was conceived.

He said that while in recent years training with the US coastguard had dwindled, this year it was again on the increase.

Through US support, the AFM had two new protector class patrol boats, identical to the ones used by the US coastguard.

The MOU signed, he said, was historic but also a formality because cooperation had been going on for 15 years.

Vice Admiral Papp said that for such a small country, Malta’s reach was enormous. The US needed to establish and step up good relations around the world.

He noted that a visiting team from the US coastguard was in Malta this week to install specific software for use by the Maritime Squadron. This software helps locate specific areas, such as where a shipwreck would have taken place.