Armed Forces of Malta officers have recently successfully concluded an Arms Verification Training Course, which was conducted by Italian armed forces’ instructors from their Joint Arms Verification Centre. The five-man mobile training team (MTT) of instructors was led by Lieut Col. Alessandro Ceci, while the local training was co-ordinated by staff officers Capt. Edward Castleberry of the Italian Military Mission (MIATM) and HQ AFM’s Major Caprian Borg.

The course included historical reviews on the Dayton Peace Agreement and the role of the OSCE, as well as equipment recognition sessions and post-inspection evaluation procedures. The Italian Armed Forces carry a world of experience in such duties, particularly when considering their missions overseas in locations such as in Lebanon, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Maltese officers are frequently required to participate in inspection and verification teams in former theatres of conflict. As a matter of fact, an AFM Captain is at present on a month-long attachment on CIMIC-duties in Lebanon with the Italian armed forces’ contingent forming part of UNIFIL.

The 14 AFM officers, of captain and major rank, came from across the AFM and with a varied background of experience and present assignments. The course training provided was aimed at empowering with knowledge such AFM officers who may be required to join multi-national weapons verification teams, and considering that Maltese troops frequently train to deploy in scenarios which may well require them conduct such verifications.