The Riot Act
Tear gas cylinders exploded at the White Rocks filling the air with white smoke. An “unruly crowd” had occupied the abandoned tourist complex in Pembroke and soldiers were trying to bring them under control, using anti-riot equipment.
It was the scene, last Friday, of a realistic internal security training-exercise conducted by C (Special Duties) company personnel from 1st Regiment of the Armed Forces of Malta, under the command of Captain Jason Ebejer.
As the smoke billowed, simulated gunfire broke out and military vehicles screeched to a halt as armed forces anti-riot personnel invaded the scene. The smoke cleared, the “unruly crowd” ran in all directions and the soldiers tried to apprehend their leader.
During the two-day exercise, the barricaded group of “unruly youths” (role-played by fellow soldiers) inside the complex had armed themselves with oranges, wood, improvised petrol-bombs and burning obstacles.
The anti-riot personnel overpowered them with rubber batons and baton guns under different scenarios directed by their instructors.
The aim was to develop the soldiers’ skills in handling a range of situations, confronting anything from minor aggression in open spaces to severe violence from rioters inside buildings.
In such situations, AFM soldiers would be required to negotiate their way in and out of the premises in the safest ways possible according to the circumstances and the architecture.
41 Comments
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j grech
Jan 25th 2010, 00:25
well done AFM but i have to agree the police should of been along side of you as this is a job for the police, looking at the video it is mild i am just giving a bit of constructive criticism here you would not be facing a dozen youth kicking or pulling at shields you would have an angry mob of 2/300 pushing at your frontline forcing you back, the mob would be armed with metal bars and other lethal weapons, try and get a video of the toxteth riots and the brixton riots uk and this would be what you would be up against, i am not an armchair critic like most commentors here i am a woman of 57yrs now and i worked with the fire medical and rescue teamsand worked along side in many riots, also when a bomb scare is at the court in valetta although it is evacuated it is not cleared of the general public for 300 metres they are just hanging around outside, the whole area including shops should be cordoned off and cleared untill the all clear is given, this is the job of AFM and crowd controll for the police
M K Zammit
Jan 24th 2010, 21:59
It doesn't seem that much effective in my opinion, I agree with Adrian Cachia.
I think this is how it should be done- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns-StY31FSs&feature=related
perfect formation, perfect handling of the situation, not a single grenade used. Of course Martial Arts pays it off...
Sean Zerafa
Mar 26th 2010, 15:22
If you think this is not effective, why don't you grab a helmet and a riot shield and go out there yourself and try to do better then these guys. The video you watched on youtube, can be done exactly the same by these men, the only difference in that video is that the place the riot took place was 5 times bigger then pembroke and they had a lot of man power. Before you comment and try to make fun of the AFM just think for a while, who's going after the bad guys if the worst happens, you or the AFM? So keep your stupid comments to yourself and if you don't have anything better to say, just keep your mouth shut. Just remember, these guys risk their lives, so you don't have to. It's unfortunate that they have to risk it for guys like you!
O. Sant' Angelo
Jan 24th 2010, 13:04
Well done guys, looks quite realistic at times.
Looks like scutum (shield) combat is as valid now as it was in Roman times.
Let's just hope you never need to do it in real life.
C.Cusens
Jan 23rd 2010, 16:19
"unruly" crowd....hahahahhaa that cracked me up! :)))
Kurt Laferla
Jan 23rd 2010, 15:46
hehe its funny how many ppl think they know everything, and think they are experts coz they watch anti riot police on telly or play games. arresting officers cannot have shields, for one simple reason.. u gonna ask the assailant to pause and put down ur shield and have him arrested? hehe come on.. the ones with the shield have to defend the arresting officer whilst the police with the person arrested will be escorted to a safety zone and put in a van. i myself have no real life experience, but i am into criminology and i do study this subject.
Peter Bonnici
Jan 23rd 2010, 14:58
Why should a routine excercise make news?
Stefan Kottmann
Jan 23rd 2010, 12:02
OK...though I doubt riots such as those requiring the riot act will materialise soon. How about learning how not to get kicked off a bus during a strike? Riots are for idiots, just block all the streets with your cars. More effective.
C. Attard
Jan 23rd 2010, 09:56
In Malta you get it whatever you do! AFM are either criticized for being too tough in taking soldiers through icecold water, or for being too soft in training with oranges. Seems the biggest enemy they face is the "Maltese gerger". Let's be positive and acknowledge that our forces ARE training! Decades ago AFM seems to me to have been mostly ceremonial. A sentry on duty had once said he was only issued one live bullet in his rifle. So yes Im pleased to see our forces be more military today. Good work guys!
Was this training mild? If we compare it to real riots we see on the news, yes of course. But training has to start somewhere, and this exercise was a good effort.
But I do ask why the police were'nt also involved, and why the rioters were not armed with sticks, as in real life, and stones instead of oranges? Surely the sound and feel of weapons hitting the shields is crucial psychological training. Or perhaps AFM is being over-cautious after Chadwick Lakes?
Edward Vella
Jan 23rd 2010, 09:30
@Manwel Paris Being good in Call of duty 1, 2,3,4 modern warfare , World at war or modern warfare 2 doesnt mean your son;s will be good at this. so just shut up and congratulate them on their good training exercise.
p.camilleri
Jan 23rd 2010, 08:24
Malta should invest in Rottweillers and whenever there is a riot they should put them upfront and let them loose ! That would be a great start before throwing any hand grenades. Ever since I saw a stupid riot on the island I had never ever saw a dog with the police. Perhaps they either had ran out of dogs or it could be that there are some police that are afraid to be near a dog.
Roderick Micallef
Jan 23rd 2010, 06:01
I am no military expert and therefore will not get into the merits of whether the exercise was a success or not (of course any one commenting can only comment on the footage attached with this article) but I have to congratulate the AFM for their work and efforts.
It would be interesting to train and be prepared for riots in different scenarios including the one shown in the footage but also different scenarios. Like in everything else, you are never prepared enough.
The equipment the AFM was using was undoubtly VERY good, it was evident that both the shieds but also the formation the soldiers were adhering to was extremely effective against the rioters. The more this formation is trained the more it will become second nature to the soldiers and once applied in a real riot it will give great results.
I really can't understand why some people are posting nasty comments, they are either military experts or else they just complain most probably about everything and everyone. What is sure is that IF something had to happen then everyone will turn up to the AFM for help, so once again AFM keep up the good work!
KEVIN Chircop
Jan 22nd 2010, 20:21
Ghal dawk kollha li qedin jaqraw u jaraw dan il-footage komdi komdi fuq xi siggu ghas-shana gewwa djarkom u jaghddu l-kummenti banali u ghal dik il-persuna li ghanda zewgt itfal li jitrennjaw u jaghmlu affarijiet iktar gravi min hekk.(The 2 men ArMy..) Naprezza li taqraw dawn l-artikli fuq il-Forzi Armati Maltin u taghddu l-kummenti,imma vera nithasarkom meta taghddu kummenti il-vera banali u bla sugu! qabel titkelmu, prova immagina imqar 5minuti b'dak il-kit u l-ambejt li fih ikunu qed jitrenjaw dawn is-suldati. Meta tesperjenzawha ikollkom id-dritt li taghddu l-kummenti, imma il-bqija tipruvawx biex iddahqu. Dawn is-suldati huma nies li meta int li qed taghddi l-kumenti bla sens isirlek l-hin biex titlaq lejn id-dar wara gurnata xoghol, dawn ikollhom jibqaw xoghol, jekk l-esigenza tas-servizz ikollha bzonnhom. Be Proud AFM, and C (SD) Coy.
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Jan 22nd 2010, 20:15
Bravo !, it reminds me of the Watts riots in southern Los Angeles. This training will come to good use soon enough .
Mark Cassar
Jan 22nd 2010, 20:02
Good Job C Company, keep it up.
M.Caruana
Jan 22nd 2010, 18:50
@Joe Degiorgio
The front shields were of the same size, some were rightly placed on the ground to prevent elevation or debris and others had a clearance. Not only that - in some moments the long shields and the shorter ones were both aligned. What's the point of having a long shield then?
But I mentioned other aspects as well which were conveniently left out of your comments.
Seems criticism does not go down well with some, but that not should be a reason to shut people up.
Joe Degiorgio
Jan 22nd 2010, 18:22
@ Dunstan Crockford; Manuel Paris; Steve Mizzi; M Caruana & J Farrugia Wow; the experts have spoken. I'd love to see you there in the lines and putting your wisdom into action. You should NEVER criticise decisions taken on the ground from behind your PC monitors while sitting in your comfy chairs. @ M Caruana (special note) I'm no GI Joe. Let me quote you: "They were very unprofessional. Most of the times they were leaving open spaces between them, the shield were a foot of the ground ..." Who are you to decide it was unprofessional? Did you even realise that some shields were shorter than others (you'd have to crawl to have it touch the ground)? There's a reason behind that. I won't bother to comment on the rest of your entry. @ Steve Mizzi The 2nd role of the AFM is to assist / support the duties of the Police. Legal Notice 66 of 1980 ... check it out. You also said: "Law abiding citizens should not be subjected to having an antique AK-47 rifle pointed at their head during routine road blocks" If you ever got in that situation you must have done something horribly wrong.
chris bartolo
Jan 22nd 2010, 18:18
Work hard fight easy....... good job for the afm keep up the good work people like us stands in the frontlines of a riot you only watch and critisize against us from home sitting in front of a box........ Well done again and keep on training.
Romano Tebaldi
Jan 22nd 2010, 17:58
It seems like some liberals have been offended by the footage... Well, next time there is a riot in a detention centre we will send you three-huggers to deal with it.
Dunstan Crockford
Jan 22nd 2010, 16:32
Looks so amateurish...come on ! The soldiers should all have had a shield...not hide behind the cumbersome front line!!!...If only they watch Italian TV covering angry football supporters they woud have got better training! The Land Rovers had no protection either!
Kieran Laws
Jan 22nd 2010, 16:32
To Manuel paris
If you think that this is a joke and your two sons do better, try sending them instead when a riot arises. Id like to see your kids in action, i think they would look adorable in such a situation defending their selfs and their colleagues.
Joseph Brincat
Jan 22nd 2010, 16:31
@E. Muscat
What made you think that this exercise was made in preparation for the Gaddafi visit?
I would more say that it was made in view of the Pontiff's visit since today Malta is more pro Gaddafi. We are much closer friends with the once branded "Tal-Habbazie"?
You do remember that I suppose.
On the other hand according to statistics, Malta is losing its religion rather fast, and what happened in Catholic Vatican city can easily happen here.
Prevention and being prepared is more than desired.
Aimee Fenech
Jan 22nd 2010, 16:21
I hope that they never have to use these riot techniques on anyone and I also agree that it should be the police not the army that deals with riots. Violence should always be the last resort, reasonable and proportionate in any case and any injured should be provided with medical assistance immediately irrelevant which side of the argument anyone is on..
Chris A. Park
Jan 22nd 2010, 15:53
Seems some folks here aren't recalling the British Forces P.R. machine when they still served in Malta. They'd put out caption story images by the dozen weekly of this nature. But maybe that was when there was no colour TV, or Internet, the Valletta Caffe` Premier was a popular rendezvous, and critics were more respectful and tactful in how or when they mouth off or slag (if at all) somebody in uniform.
The Genoa riots cannot be compared to any future scenario in Malta: those mega-events rope in many law-enforcement agencies and military personnel with overlapping security duties and issues to address. But in Malta, the Malta Police was never able to handle a crowd properly, be they DryDocks/Shipbuilding workers on a rampage in Floriana, or walkabout on December 13th Road in Marsa, or a bunch of Muviment Graffiti goons by a waterfront annualy on March 311st or when some NATO warship is in harbour.
If the entertainment district of Paceville is like some IRA-Belfast in flames every weekend, I'm missing one heck of party, since when our last Royal Marine team left Malta, with a couple of Maltese wives too (hooked up from that same area by the way!)
Joseph Sammut (Ta' Harrbat)
Jan 22nd 2010, 15:41
It always amazes me & many other readers here how many experts & liberal opinionists come out as deskjockeys and PC keyboard warriors when we're shown men in uniform training how they'd be required to react in sticky scenarios.
Somebody's kids at home might be outright hooligans if they behave worse than that, others express 'first hand' knowledge or experience from rioting from Northern Ireland, or a Lazio-Rome soccer game, might well be Floriana-Valletta!
To belittle and riducle the valid training's worth these Maltese soldiers do is pathetic, unpatriotic, and offensively disdainful towards these fellow brethren who live disciplined lives and work regimes this blog's contributors ignore.
They perform outstandingly to support the over-streched Malta Police. They maybe spartan in methods & 'vintage' weaponary, but more effective and better value for money than most other Government departments, and they sums they squander.
This derision of our Maltese troops only plays into the hands of anti-establishment consipracy theorists, ignoring the live they save, the unglorified security duties they form, and the flag they fly overseas amongst other EU partners or non-EU states.
Enough of this! These website blog contribtions need to reflect more thanks and respect to our AFM soldiers!
Rouven Gallo
Jan 22nd 2010, 15:37
To Manuel Paris...
if you let your sons do so..!! what kind of parant are you?!?!?! you should be taken off your sons..!!
good job AFM..
Victor Fiorini
Jan 22nd 2010, 13:45
I agree with R Dimech, these trainings should not be given publicity. But not because of what R Dimech said, but becuase THIS IS NOT NEWS!
louise vella
Jan 22nd 2010, 12:34
The Armed Forces of Malta are very right in preparing themselves for every possibility. After all riots have happened and they can happen again.
Steve Mizzi
Jan 22nd 2010, 12:12
Such situations should be handled by the Police, the Army is their to protect the Country from external threats and should never be used against the civilian population unless there is a "declared" state of emergency. That is the norm in civilised western Democracies.
The reason is simple, an army should be trained to fight an enemy of the state using all at it's disposal to achieve such aims, whereas a Police force is there to keep the peace, enforce the law of the land and use REASONABLE force as a last resort.
This should also apply to road blocks. Law abiding citizens should not be subjected to having an antique AK-47 rifle pointed at their head during routine road blocks and the privacy of their car arbitrarily invaded in what i believe is an illegal manner.
I stand to be corrected but by law, private property can only be searched with a warrant issued by the Court or if a Police Inspector is present and they have established probable cause.
But it seems that in this Country of ours we are not interested in civil liberties.
Kevin Farrugia
Jan 22nd 2010, 12:00
@ Danika Vella
You mean Imperial Stormtroopers, Clonetroopers, SnowTroopers, Cold Assault Stormtroopers, Scout troopers , Spacetrooper, Sandtrooper or the Airtroopers???? Please be specific.
Manuel Paris
Jan 22nd 2010, 11:57
What a joke! I've seen my two sons do better than that whilst playing at home!
Neil Sant
Jan 22nd 2010, 11:42
Looks cool and the truncheons are shaped like katanas but that was unfair. The protestors were vastly outnumbered. I suppose this training would have been a fun way to "riot" without actually getting into trouble! I'd take that over an office job any time!
M.Caruana
Jan 22nd 2010, 11:41
They were very unprofessional. Most of the times they were leaving open spaces between them, the shield were a foot of the ground, easy for the rioters to throw something at their feet or get a hold of the shield from under. They didn't know what to do, especially when rioters were throwing things from a roof. Soldiers on the sides were continously falling and breaking formation. Weat gas masks without helmet (only way to do it, I know but...) right in the line of fire (think of rocks falling onto you when you are close to riots).
With rioters charging at them, shields easily gave way, bla sinsla min wara jew ?
Thank God this was an exercise, because had this been true and a real mob intent on destruction, most of the authorities would be dead or seriously injured.
Before I get in the line of fire by some GI Joes here, what I wrote was constructive criticisim for improvement. If you dont like the language I use - dont ever think about joining the army and instead taking sewing classes.
This exercise was a flop which hopefully post exercise reviews will pin point the areas of improvement.
E.Muscat
Jan 22nd 2010, 11:37
Is this training in view of the Gaddafi visit?He usually brings along hundreds of girl soldiers to protect him.
Joe Camilleri
Jan 22nd 2010, 11:34
The first part made me think of the film '300'.
Where the Spartans were blocking the narrow passage of Thermopylae against the invading Persian army of King Xerxes.
Adrian Cachia
Jan 22nd 2010, 11:06
tehy better train harder....they seem like in difficulty to me. I am sure the "unruly" crowd would be more "unruly" then that and oranges would be stones...and petrol bombs would actually hit the targets!!
J Farrugia
Jan 22nd 2010, 10:56
These people were just joking. This was no real life scenario. Training should be more severe not acting like ballerinas. And I know what I'm saying. God forbid if ever our armed forces tackle riots this way. They would be in for a good hiding. Training must be severe, even though sometimes our security forces overstep their powers. But what we saw on this movie is just childplay. Even I would have inflicted severe damage on the security forces by just throwing a heavy stone on them. As happened in Genova recently when a criminal tried to throw a gas cylinder on the police who were closeted in a jeep. Training must be for real.
Danika Vella
Jan 22nd 2010, 10:11
I don't know why they look like that army of white robot soldiers of Star Wars to me!!! lol
But keep up the good work AFM!!
R Dimech
Jan 22nd 2010, 09:56
I do not agree that such training and exercises should be given such prominence and publicity. It may be counter productive. It's no big deal anyway.
No disrespect towards AFM intended of course. Just that IS forms part of AFM's duties and it should be taken for granted that they're geared up for this.
D. A . Agius
Jan 22nd 2010, 09:29
Seems like paceville in the evening:)
No jokes apar, nice to see that some forces in Malta do training. Would love to see as well the Police training a bit and maybe prepare for some future G20 meeting in Malta. Having been involved in the CHOGM, which highlighted quite some unpublicized gaffes, some more realistic, rather than theoretical training should always be welcome.
Also, why not invite outsiders for such training? Having a common person around (or some self-appointed anarchist might help. Civil protection have done it at the same site.
P. Saliba
Jan 22nd 2010, 09:13
Thumbs up for our armed forces. With the increased resurgence of riots in the past decade, being prepared for the worst is what our security forces need. However a few questions arise:
Is this only an AFM initiative?
Do the police get the same training?
How about joint riot exercises between the AFM, Police as well as others such as the CPD and the Ambulances (there are bound to be injured persons in a riot)?
Just one comment about safety though: One acts as one trains, If our soldiers don't close their formation, to always cover threats from above, we will have a large amount of injuries from our protectors. Especially during the approach to overhead structures (buildings, trees, etc.) and during the wearing of gas masks (helmets have to come off then).
Having said that good job to the AFM! They are another reason why we can feel safe.
God bless all our security and rescue services!