The AFM’s Special Duties Enhanced Boarding Team (SDEBT) consisting of three Officers and nineteen other ranks returned to Malta on Wednesday, on board the Dutch Naval vessel HNLMS DE ZEVEN PROVINCIEN.

This was the longest deployment off the coast of Somalia for AFM soldiers so far. The relatives of the deployed personnel were eagerly waiting at the Grand Harbour to greet the their loved ones and were invited for the awarding of the Dutch Medal for Peacekeeping Activities to all soldiers involved.

The medal ceremony was held under the patronage of H.E the Dutch Ambassador Drs.Rita Dulci Rahman, Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi and the Dutch Chief of Defense, General Tom Middendrop who took the opportunity to speak to the soldiers individually and share their experiences. The Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta once again thanked the AFM personnel who formed part of the mission as well as their Dutch counterparts who have integrated them into their family. Brigadier Curmi also thanked the families of the soldiers for putting up with the separation of their loved ones whilst they where representing the country.

Both the Dutch Ambassador to Malta Drs. Rita Dulci Rahman and Brigadier Curmi emphasised that the cooperation between the two nations is giving the desired results and aiding the EU’s effort in combating the scourge of piracy whilst keeping the sea lanes safe.

The return of the Maltese SDEBT brought an end to the fourth mission that the AFM participated in as part of EU NAVFOR Atalanta off the coast of Somalia.