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Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta

April 17, 2023

The Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta (Maltese: L-Iskwadra tal-Ajru tal-FAM)[1] is the aerial component of the current Maltese military. The Air Wing has responsibility for the security of Maltese airspace, conducts maritime patrol and Search and Rescue duties, medical evacuation, VIP transport and provides military assistance to other government departments of Malta.[2]

Armed Forces of Malta Air Wing
L-Iskwadra tal-Ajru tal-FAM
Malta Air Wing emblem
Active1973–Present
Country Malta
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size15 aircraft
Part ofArmed Forces of Malta
Decorations
Commanders
Commanding OfficerLt Col James Thomas Grech
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
PatrolBeechcraft Super King Air, AgustaWestland AW139, Agusta-Bell AB 212
ReconnaissanceAérospatiale Alouette III, Agusta-Bell AB 212
TrainerScottish Aviation Bulldog
TransportBritten-Norman Islander, Beechcraft Super King Air

The Air Wing of the Armed Forces is based at the AFM terminal at the Malta International Airport.

History

Main articles: RAF Luqa, RAF Hal Far, and RAF Ta' Qali

While Malta has a rather long tradition of military aviation within its territory, including the housing of Royal Air Force bases and squadrons during World War II, the nation had no official military aviation of its own until gaining independence in 1964 (and the building of an independent national military that followed).

The Air Wing was founded as an operational branch of the Armed Forces of Malta in the early 1970s. The Air Wing serves primarily as a support branch of the ground forces (as troops transport, security escort and fire support) and Maritime Squadron of the AFM (for maritime surveillance and border control mission) and has so far never operated combat aircraft. The Air Wing's current Commanding Officer is Lt. Col James Thomas Grech.[2]

On 13 December 2013, the Air Wing of the AFM was awarded the 'Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika' (MQR) in recognition of its distinguished service toward safety at sea, humanitarian assistance to people in distress and to the welfare of Maltese people.[2][3]

In a bilateral agreement with Italy, the Italian Air Force provided two AB 212 helicopters to perform SAR duties with Maltese rescuers on board.[4] This was operated under the name of Italian Military in Malta which was initially intended to help the Maltese Government establish and maintain a modern military force as well operate a SAR detachment. This lasted more than 40 years with the Italian AB212's and their predecessors the AB 204 logging over 15,000 flight hours in both training and SAR missions whilst saving over 270 people. By 2015 the intended role of this mission had been fulfilled with the Maltese Air Wing able to operate a modern SAR force and due to budget cuts the mission started to wind down until eventually the final chapter of service was closed in 2016 with the Italian AB212's going home.[5]

Structure

The main divisions of the Air Wing are :

  • The Air Wing Headquarters – Tasked with command, control, and coordination of the air wing's divisions and sub-units, in order to ensure unit readiness for responding to various operational requirements, both locally and overseas.
  • The Headquarters Squadron – Provides logistical and service support to the other sub-units of the AFM Air Wing. It is responsible for transport management, logistics procurement, and human resources administration required for the air wing's daily duties and commitments. The Integrated Logistics Division within the Headquarters Squadron is tasked with ensuring of the stocking up of all aircraft parts and aircraft maintenance documentation.
  • The Operations Squadron – The main operations element of the AFM's Air Wing, in charge of utilizing the aircraft inventory. It consists of three subdivisions :
    • The Fixed Wing Flight – In charge of coastal and offshore patrolling, sighting and reporting of irregular migration at sea and interdiction, fisheries patrols, and several other varied flight duties.
    • The Rotary Wing Flight – Handles all helicopter operations, ranging from offshore casualty evacuation and rescue to air ambulance as well as patient transfer between the Islands' two main hospitals. It also provides assistance to other government entities as required.
    • The Rescue Section – A small unit of soldiers and rescue personnel specially trained for rescue operations on land and at sea. Each rescue-swimmer is qualified in first aid, life saving, and other specialist skills. Membership in the unit requires a high level of physical fitness.
  • The Support Squadron – By far the largest of the Air Wing's divisions, the Support Squadron is in charge of the maintenance of the aircraft inventory. The ground crew personnel are also responsible for aircraft and equipment handling on the ground, emergency fire fighting, aircraft marshalling, aircraft towing, aircraft refuelling, and other essential line duties.[6]

Aircraft

Below is a list of aircraft operated by the Armed Forces of Malta Air Wing. The Air Wing operates 4 fixed-wing aircraft and 6 helicopters. Since its founding, the Air Wing has never operated jet-powered or combat aircraft.

 
An AFM AW139 over Malta International
 
A Maltese King Air 200 on display at the Farnborough Air Show
 
An Agusta-Bell 47G-2 over Malta Int'l airport

Current inventory

Retired

Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Maritime Patrol
BAe Bulldog United Kingdom training / patrol Model 121 5[13] removed from service[14]
CASA C-212 Spain SAR / maritime patrol 1[15] 3-month lease from CAE Aviation of Luxemburg
Surveillance
Cessna 0-1 United States observation 0-1E 5[16] retired from service
Helicopters
Agusta-Bell 47 Italy maritime patrol 47G2/G 3/1[16] Three G2's were former West German Army aircraft
Agusta-Bell 206 Italy SAR / utility Agusta-206A 1[16]
MD 500 Italy SAR / utility NH-500M 2[16] licensed built Hughes 500 by Breda Nardi

References

  1. ^ "Rapport Annwali tad-Dipartiment tal-Gvern – 2016 Ministeru għall-Intern u s-Sigurtà Nazzjonali, pg 41, 44" (PDF). mfin.gov.mt. Ministry of the Home Affairs and National Security. 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Air Wing". afm.gov.mt. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  3. ^ "Aġġornat: Persuni minn sfond differenti onorati f'Jum ir-Repubblika" (in Maltese). inewsmalta.com. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  4. ^ "AGUSTA BELL 212". afm.gov.mt. from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  5. ^ "Italian Military Mission in Malta to wind down". from the original on 16 December 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Official AFM website – Overview of the AFM Air Wing's operational structure, divisions and subdivisions". from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  7. ^ "BRITTEN NORMAN BN-2B ISLANDER". afm.gov.mt. from the original on 25 March 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  8. ^ a b c d "World Air Forces 2023". Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  9. ^ "New AFM patrol aircraft rolled out". timesofmalta.com. from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  10. ^ . aeroflight.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  11. ^ Zerafa, Mark (12 August 2016). "Malta's Alouettes". from the original on 28 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  12. ^ Gruber, Jan (10 May 2021). "Malta: Air forces deploy first drone". Aviation Direct. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Details of Bulldog Service in Maltese Armed Forces". aeroflight.co.uk. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  14. ^ "SA Bulldog".
  15. ^ "AFM gets maritime patrol aircraft". timesofmalta.com. from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  16. ^ a b c d "World Air Forces 1994 pg. 48". Flightglobal Insight. 1994. from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air force of Malta.
  • Overview of the AFM Air Wing at the official AFM website
  • Overview of AFM AW aircraft at the official AFM website

April 17, 2023
wing, armed, forces, malta, maltese, iskwadra, ajru, aerial, component, current, maltese, military, wing, responsibility, security, maltese, airspace, conducts, maritime, patrol, search, rescue, duties, medical, evacuation, transport, provides, military, assis. The Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta Maltese L Iskwadra tal Ajru tal FAM 1 is the aerial component of the current Maltese military The Air Wing has responsibility for the security of Maltese airspace conducts maritime patrol and Search and Rescue duties medical evacuation VIP transport and provides military assistance to other government departments of Malta 2 Armed Forces of Malta Air WingL Iskwadra tal Ajru tal FAMMalta Air Wing emblemActive1973 PresentCountry MaltaTypeAir forceRoleAerial warfareSize15 aircraftPart ofArmed Forces of MaltaDecorationsCommandersCommanding OfficerLt Col James Thomas GrechInsigniaRoundelFin flashAircraft flownPatrolBeechcraft Super King Air AgustaWestland AW139 Agusta Bell AB 212ReconnaissanceAerospatiale Alouette III Agusta Bell AB 212TrainerScottish Aviation BulldogTransportBritten Norman Islander Beechcraft Super King Air The Air Wing of the Armed Forces is based at the AFM terminal at the Malta International Airport Contents 1 History 2 Structure 3 Aircraft 3 1 Current inventory 3 2 Retired 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditMain articles RAF Luqa RAF Hal Far and RAF Ta Qali While Malta has a rather long tradition of military aviation within its territory including the housing of Royal Air Force bases and squadrons during World War II the nation had no official military aviation of its own until gaining independence in 1964 and the building of an independent national military that followed The Air Wing was founded as an operational branch of the Armed Forces of Malta in the early 1970s The Air Wing serves primarily as a support branch of the ground forces as troops transport security escort and fire support and Maritime Squadron of the AFM for maritime surveillance and border control mission and has so far never operated combat aircraft The Air Wing s current Commanding Officer is Lt Col James Thomas Grech 2 On 13 December 2013 the Air Wing of the AFM was awarded the Midalja għall Qadi tar Repubblika MQR in recognition of its distinguished service toward safety at sea humanitarian assistance to people in distress and to the welfare of Maltese people 2 3 In a bilateral agreement with Italy the Italian Air Force provided two AB 212 helicopters to perform SAR duties with Maltese rescuers on board 4 This was operated under the name of Italian Military in Malta which was initially intended to help the Maltese Government establish and maintain a modern military force as well operate a SAR detachment This lasted more than 40 years with the Italian AB212 s and their predecessors the AB 204 logging over 15 000 flight hours in both training and SAR missions whilst saving over 270 people By 2015 the intended role of this mission had been fulfilled with the Maltese Air Wing able to operate a modern SAR force and due to budget cuts the mission started to wind down until eventually the final chapter of service was closed in 2016 with the Italian AB212 s going home 5 Structure EditThe main divisions of the Air Wing are The Air Wing Headquarters Tasked with command control and coordination of the air wing s divisions and sub units in order to ensure unit readiness for responding to various operational requirements both locally and overseas The Headquarters Squadron Provides logistical and service support to the other sub units of the AFM Air Wing It is responsible for transport management logistics procurement and human resources administration required for the air wing s daily duties and commitments The Integrated Logistics Division within the Headquarters Squadron is tasked with ensuring of the stocking up of all aircraft parts and aircraft maintenance documentation The Operations Squadron The main operations element of the AFM s Air Wing in charge of utilizing the aircraft inventory It consists of three subdivisions The Fixed Wing Flight In charge of coastal and offshore patrolling sighting and reporting of irregular migration at sea and interdiction fisheries patrols and several other varied flight duties The Rotary Wing Flight Handles all helicopter operations ranging from offshore casualty evacuation and rescue to air ambulance as well as patient transfer between the Islands two main hospitals It also provides assistance to other government entities as required The Rescue Section A small unit of soldiers and rescue personnel specially trained for rescue operations on land and at sea Each rescue swimmer is qualified in first aid life saving and other specialist skills Membership in the unit requires a high level of physical fitness The Support Squadron By far the largest of the Air Wing s divisions the Support Squadron is in charge of the maintenance of the aircraft inventory The ground crew personnel are also responsible for aircraft and equipment handling on the ground emergency fire fighting aircraft marshalling aircraft towing aircraft refuelling and other essential line duties 6 Aircraft EditBelow is a list of aircraft operated by the Armed Forces of Malta Air Wing The Air Wing operates 4 fixed wing aircraft and 6 helicopters Since its founding the Air Wing has never operated jet powered or combat aircraft An AFM AW139 over Malta International A Maltese King Air 200 on display at the Farnborough Air Show An Agusta Bell 47G 2 over Malta Int l airport Current inventory Edit Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service NotesMaritime PatrolBN 2 Islander United Kingdom maritime patrol BN 2B T 7 1 8 Super King Air United States maritime patrol B200 3 8 fitted with a maritime surveillance radar 9 HelicoptersAlouette III France SAR utility SA316B 3 8 left behind by LARAF in 1980 10 11 AgustaWestland AW139 Italy SAR maritime patrol 3 8 UAVIAI Heron Israel surveillance 1 12 Retired Edit Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service NotesMaritime PatrolBAe Bulldog United Kingdom training patrol Model 121 5 13 removed from service 14 CASA C 212 Spain SAR maritime patrol 1 15 3 month lease from CAE Aviation of LuxemburgSurveillanceCessna 0 1 United States observation 0 1E 5 16 retired from serviceHelicoptersAgusta Bell 47 Italy maritime patrol 47G2 G 3 1 16 Three G2 s were former West German Army aircraftAgusta Bell 206 Italy SAR utility Agusta 206A 1 16 MD 500 Italy SAR utility NH 500M 2 16 licensed built Hughes 500 by Breda NardiReferences Edit Rapport Annwali tad Dipartiment tal Gvern 2016 Ministeru għall Intern u s Sigurta Nazzjonali pg 41 44 PDF mfin gov mt Ministry of the Home Affairs and National Security 2016 Retrieved 26 November 2019 a b c Air Wing afm gov mt Retrieved 30 October 2019 Aġġornat Persuni minn sfond differenti onorati f Jum ir Repubblika in Maltese inewsmalta com 13 December 2013 Retrieved 30 October 2019 AGUSTA BELL 212 afm gov mt Archived from the original on 23 February 2015 Retrieved 21 March 2015 Italian Military Mission in Malta to wind down Archived from the original on 16 December 2015 Retrieved 6 December 2016 Official AFM website Overview of the AFM Air Wing s operational structure divisions and subdivisions Archived from the original on 25 November 2015 Retrieved 24 November 2015 BRITTEN NORMAN BN 2B ISLANDER afm gov mt Archived from the original on 25 March 2015 Retrieved 21 March 2015 a b c d World Air Forces 2023 Flightglobal Insight 2023 Retrieved 24 December 2022 New AFM patrol aircraft rolled out timesofmalta com Archived from the original on 2 April 2015 Retrieved 30 March 2015 AFM Aerospatiale SA 316B Alouette III aeroflight co uk Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 21 March 2015 Zerafa Mark 12 August 2016 Malta s Alouettes Archived from the original on 28 April 2017 Retrieved 27 April 2017 Gruber Jan 10 May 2021 Malta Air forces deploy first drone Aviation Direct Retrieved 8 April 2022 Details of Bulldog Service in Maltese Armed Forces aeroflight co uk 27 May 2016 Retrieved 26 August 2018 SA Bulldog AFM gets maritime patrol aircraft timesofmalta com Archived from the original on 2 April 2015 Retrieved 21 March 2015 a b c d World Air Forces 1994 pg 48 Flightglobal Insight 1994 Archived from the original on 2 April 2015 Retrieved 21 March 2015 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air force of Malta Overview of the AFM Air Wing at the official AFM website Overview of AFM AW aircraft at the official AFM website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta amp oldid 1137127825, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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