A three-man infantry training team from the Armed Forces of Malta has been deployed to the European Union Training Mission to Somalia, which is based in Uganda.
Malta’s deployment is the fourth and the team is made up of of members of C (Special Duties) Company - Warrant Officer John Grixti, Sergeant Adrian Cipriott and Lance Bombardier Angelo Gatt..
Most of the training is conducted in Bihanga Training Camp, Uganda, and involves positive interaction and a training partnership with the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces.
With the third intake of trained Somali soldiers ready to return to duty in their home country, the shifting focus is now on a fresh fourth intake of trainees which is expected to arrive in Bihanga Training Camp later this month.
For a second time, the AFM has also provided a personal assistant to the Irish Mission Commander of EUTM Somalia, Colonel Michael Beary.
Major Melvyn Haber replaced Major Christopher Attard in this role, and is scheduled to remain in theatre until around October this year.