The AFM Maritime Squadron, MQR provides the maritime element of the AFM and AFM’s land component stationed in Gozo. It operates from Hay Wharf Base in Floriana, Mgarr Harbour and Qortin Base in Gozo. The Squadron has a general responsibility to meet defence and contingent requirements such as maritime surveillance, maritime law enforcement, and also responsible to execute search and rescue operations at sea. Medical Evacuations (MEDEVAC) and Casualty Evacuations (CASEVAC) are also duties carried out by this Squadron. Other sundry tasks include reconnaissance operations, VIP conveyances, and security escort duties at sea also fall within the remit of the Maritime Component. The Squadron is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Gatt, AFM.
There are five Commands at Maritime Squadron AFM namely:
- Headquarters Command
- Offshore Command
- Inshore Command
- G Command
- Support Command
Headquarters Command. Responsible for the Squadron’s service support. It is responsible for the supply and procurement of all POL (Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants), ammunition, materials and supplies necessary to sustain patrol boat operations throughout the year. Moreover, it is also responsible for base security and transportation.
Offshore Command
This Command is composed of 4 offshore vessels consisting of the Dicotti Class (Modified) Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) P61, the Flagship of the AFM, Emer Class OPV P62, and Protector Class patrol boats P51 and P52.
Inshore Command
This Command consists of three sections:
Medium Range Patrol Boats – This consists of four crews which man the four Medium Range Patrol Boats (MRPBs) these being the 21-metre patrol boats built by Austal Ships.
SAR (Search and Rescue) – Three crews who operate one ‘Supervittoria’ Class 900 Search and Rescue (SAR) launch MELITA I and Defender Class inshore patrol boat P05.
SBU (Special Boat Unit) which is a small marine detachment divided into three crews and operating three Boomeranger Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC). Their primary role is maritime law enforcement and are the primary support crafts for boarding operations.
G CommandThis Command consist of land and maritime components which are necessary to cater for an immediate and swift response on and around the island of Gozo and Malta’s northern archipelago.
Land Component – The land component consists of a platoon strong element tasked with defending the territorial integrity of the island of Gozo. Their tasks also include provision of military assistance to the Malta Police Force and other Government departments.
Maritime Component – Three crews who operate one ‘Supervittoria’ Class 900 Search and Rescue (SAR) launch MELITA II and Defender Class inshore patrol boat P06 which are based at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.
Support CommandSupport Command provides all the technical support to achieve and sustain the required level of operational availability of all maritime craft in service with the Force both in peace and in war time. It incorporates an electronics section, electrical workshop, shipwright section and a maintenance section.
Maritime Squadron National AwardOn 13 December 2008, the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta was awarded the ‘Midalja Ghal Qadi tar-Repubblika’ (MQR) service medal by H.E Dr Edward Fenech Adami President of Malta.
This was the first time in local history that this honour was awarded to a group of people collectively. Previously this honour was solely awarded to individuals.
It was also the first time that an AFM Regiment was decorated with this honour in the history of the Armed Forces of Malta.
