LANDMINE AWARENESS TRAINING FOR AFM AND RED CROSS PERSONNEL

Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) and Malta Red Cross personnel have during March 2009 completed a mine risk education training, followed by mine rescue course which were conducted by Italian Red Cross staff from the special rescue unit of the Italian Red Cross.

The local training course was directed by Captain Marco Danielli and Captain Paolo Curato with the assistance of Mr. Etienne Micallef of the Malta Red Cross Society. Mr. Micallef and his team gave training in combat medicine as per Tactical Combat Casualty Care guidelines.

The course was aimed at giving the students adequate exposure to landmine information and types besides their use as weapons. The tuition was split in two training phases, which included practical sessions and phase-culmination exercises out in the field apart from the theoretical study work.

AFM infantrymen from C (Special Duties) Company of 1 Regiment, and sappers (combat engineers) from 3 Regiments Engineer Squadron participated in this training, alongside Malta and Gozo Red Cross members.

The tuition covered mine-risk education, minefield effects on both military and civilian populations, as well International Humanitarian Law issues covering these weapons. Extrication and evacuation of persons from minefields by means of an overflying helicopters winch-hoist was also tackled. Important aspects of Combat First-Aid were also included during this training. During phase two of this tuition, the participants were qualified as combat life savers.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue, the Hon. Dr. Chris Said, also visited Lyster Barracks in Hal Far where he met the instructors and course students during a certificate awarding ceremony.

Filming & post-editing: Paul Spiteri-Lucas
Report by: Kurt Bugeja-Coster & Maj. Ivan M. Consiglio AFM
Photography: MALTA RED CROSS (GOZO BRANCH) & AFM PRESS OFFICE (Alfred Azzopardi)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• AFM
• FAM
• Armed Forces Malta
• Forzi Armati Maltin
• Red cross
• Salib l-Ahmar
• Croce Rossa
• militare
• mine
• mines
• demining