Dutch medals for AFM team

An Armed Forces special team has been decorated by the Dutch Navy for its service in an anti-piracy mission off Somalia.

Twelve soldiers each received a Commemorative Medal for Peace Operations from the Dutch Minister of Defence Hans Hillen yesterday morning in an award ceremony held aboard the Dutch Navy’s HNLMS Zuiderkruis while berthed in Grand Harbour.

The soldiers, who returned from the region last week, conducted operations protecting World Food Programme vessels delivering essential food aid to the people of Somalia.

Three were from the Maritime Squadron’s Rapid Deployment Team and the remainder from 1 Regiment’s ‘C’ Special Duties Company.

Major Nicholas Cassar led the team, which was previously deployed overseas on a trip to Tripoli harbour on an AFM patrol vessel.

Malta has participated in the EU anti-piracy mission Atalanta since it was launched in 2008 by sending an officer to the Intelligence Cell at its operational headquarters in Northwood, UK. This contribution has continued ever since, followed by a deployment last year of the army’s first Vessel Protection Detachment to support the mission.

The medals were presented by Vice Admiral Matthieu Borsboom. The Dutch Ambassador to Malta Robbert Gabriëlse and Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said attended the ceremony.