A Belgian navy mobile training team has been helping the Armed Forces of Malta in further preparing elements of the AFM’s Maritime Squadron and Air Wing for helicopter operations from AFM patrol vessel P61’s flight deck.

The value of the training was based on the fact that the Belgian Navy operates Alouette III helicopters very similar to those in AFM service, and does so from the flight deck aboard the auxiliary vessel BMS Godetia which is very similar in dimensions to the deck of P61.

The training follows contacts between the Belgian Armed Forces and the AFM which have, in the past, seen Air Wing technical personnel undergo on-the-job training in Belgium. These contacts were also facilitated by the assistance of the Belgian Ambassador to Malta, Mr Thomas Baekelandt.

The training was conducted by two Belgian navy officers, Lieutenant Commander Walter Van Gool and Lieutenant Stefan Coens. It included practical flight training for two AFM helicopter instructor pilots as well as detailed assistance in the most appropriate manner in which to organise the crew of the receiving vessel in order to provide for the safety of the crews, the vessel and the aircraft during this difficult manoeuvre.

The training culminated in a practical session which saw an AFM ALIII helicopter conducting numerous dummy approaches aboard P61, which were terminated just short of actual landings. These approaches, the AFM said, have proved that the basic crew competencies were all in place and provided the platform for further activities designed to achieve a flight-operations capability by the end of this year.

The training follows earlier training conducted on board French and German navy assets in Maltese territorial waters.

In order to reach this aim, the AFM will now embark on a number of local and overseas technical and training activities through the Italian Military Mission in Malta, so as to ensure the full compliance of both crews and equipment with the stringent standards set out for such operations. The capability will enable the AFM to maximise the use of existing resources, gaining greater effectiveness and range while engaged in maritime operations.