AFM – Air Wing SAR Demo at Open Day in Gozo – 02.10.2010

Commemorating its 40th anniversary, the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) held its first Open Day at Gozo at Mgarr Harbour. Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Acting President Anton Tabone, who visited the Open Day  had the opportunity to meet Gozitan AFM personnel. They were shown around by AFM commander Brigadier Martin G. Xuereb and Colonel […]

Malta Naval Visits – FS JEANNE D’ARC R 97 – 19-23.04.2002

On Friday 19th April 2002 the French Navy Helicopter Carrier FS JEANNE D’ARC 97 together with the Georges Leygues Class Frigate FS GEORGES LEYGUES D 640 entered Grand Harbour for a diplomatic visit berthing at Pinto 4 and 5 wharves alongside each other with the helicopter carrier alongside berth. R 97 had 6 Helicopters Embarked […]

Malta Naval Visits – BNS LEOPOLD I – 06.05.2021

The second naval unit to visit the Maltese Islands during 2021 was the Karel Doorman Class Frigate F 930 LEOPOLD I  of the Marine Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. She was here on Thursday 6th May coming from Abu Dhabi passing breakwaters at 1014 hrs. Prior to 29th March 2007, the ship was known as HNLMS KAREL DOORMAN F […]

Naval Visits- FS D’ENTRECASTEAUX A 757 – 01 – 03.12.1999

On Wednesday 1st December 1999 the Marine Nationale (French Navy) Oceanographic and Hydrographic Ship FS D’ENTRECASTEAUX A 757 entered Grand Harbour, Malta for a 3 day Diplomatic Visit berthing port side alongside at Viset (now Valletta Cruise Port) Pinto 4 Wharf. She was laid down in July 1969, launched on 30th May 1970 by DCN […]

Demolition Naval Vessels – BNS ZINNIA A 961 – 30.06.2007

A 961 BNS ZINNIA was a command and logistic support ship for mine countermeasures vessels, development of BNS GODETIA A 960. She was built in 1967 by Cockerill Yards, Hoboken, Antwerp, Belgium as yard no 837. Her modifications throughout the years were setting of the bridge further aft, allowing a second supply hold and crane […]

AFM – Former RNAF Alouette III Helicopters at Malta – 20.09.2019

Last June 2019 preparations from the Netherlands to Malta were being made after the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) purchased 2 SA316B Alouette III helicopters completed with main rotor blades and engines. Discussions between the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNAF), AFM, NUNNER Logistics B.V – the ocean airfreight Operations in the Netherlands together with O&S […]

AFM – Missing Person Body Found – 08.09.2019

A dead man’s body was found off Malta’s western coast on Sunday 8th September morning, following an Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) helicopter search that began on Saturday. The body is believed to be that of a man who ran into trouble while swimming in the Miġra l-Ferħa, Mtahleb. He was later identified as a […]