A US Navy team has given group lectures to AFM airmen and rescuers on instrument flying, ship board flight operations, search and rescue procedures, and maintenance practices designed to increase interoperability and safety.

The lectures were hosted by the AFM's Air Wing at Luqa.

While no flight operations were conducted, Maltese air crews were briefed on various tasks that helicopters are called upon to perform.

The Air Wing's commanding officer, Lt Colonel Claudio Spiteri said such training was useful for future joint operations between the Air Wing and US forces.

Last year the AFM’s Air Wing carried out over 1,300 flights and was called upon to perform 31 rescues both locally and from vessels offshore.

The US team flew in on a U.S. Navy MH-60S “Knighthawk” helicopter from Naples.

Independently of the AFM, the U.S. Navy team flew a one hour training flight to practice air traffic control (ATC) communications and procedures with the controllers at Malta Air Traffic Services (MATS).