Over the past two weeks Fort Campbell, the last fort to be built by the British in Malta in the late 1930s, has again been occupied by British soldiers who joined a Maltese platoon for intensive training for peacekeeping duties.
The exercise, dubbed Maltahope, was the result of contacts between the commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, and Lt Colonel Tim Wood, commanding officer of the UK's 106th Yeomanry Regiment of the Royal Artillery.
The aim of the exercise was primarily to enhance cooperation and friendship between the two armed forces. It was designed to provide training of a challenging and fulfilling nature for the soldiers.
The AFM deployed an infantry platoon from C (Special Duties) Company of the 1st Regiment while the British Army deployed 60 personnel from Lt Colonel Wood's Royal Artillery Regiment consisting of regular and territorial army soldiers.
The first week of training focused on individual core skills and leadership, fighting in built-up areas, infantry and adventure training.
The second week, which ends today, consisted of a three-day exercise to assess the skills and leadership qualities acquired by members of both forces.
"It was a fantastic opportunity for my soldiers to be in Malta to train with Maltese soldiers," Lt Colonel Wood said when Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela visited the troops yesterday morning.
"My soldiers have come here in beautiful weather to train with people who are very happy and pleased to train with us. We have learnt a tremendous amount here. For my soldiers it was a fantastic opportunity," Lt Colonel Wood said. He also commented on how well the Maltese and British soldiers integrated in their work. "Your men have instructed and taught my men a lot and vice versa."
Lt Colonel Wood said British soldiers from his regiment are periodically called upon to participate in peacekeeping missions in various countries. In fact, 30 soldiers from the regiment will shortly be on such an operation in Iraq.
The C (Special Duties) Company of the AFM is earmarked to eventually take part in peace-keeping duties under the umbrella of an EU crises management operation which would have to be endorsed by the United Nations or the OSCE.
Brig. Vassallo said the aim behind the exercise was to bring together British and Maltese soldiers for training focused on eventual peace-keeping duties.
Dr Abela said that when the Maltese army is called upon to take part in a multi-national peace-keeping operation it would either be as part of an Italian or a British force.
"There is a very close relationship between the British and the Maltese forces that goes back many years," he said.
The troops were on Saturday visited by the Duke of Westminster, Major General G. Cavendish Grosvenor, commander of the Territorial Army.
This joint training between the AFM and the Royal Artillery is not a first. In 1994, a small contingent from the C Company took part in the Fifth Column exercises held at RAF Catterick.
Fort Campbell, situated on the eastern end of Mellieha ridge, was actually more of a battery when it was built, accommodating three 152mm coastal artillery guns with a range of some 23km. It was intended to protect the approaches to Mellieha and St. Paul's bays.
Today, the fort is derelict and in ruins. Parts of it are popular with people for picnics during the winter months.