Soldiers train in Italian mountains

The Alps of the Trentino Alto Adige region in northern Italy was the extraordinary backdrop to the AFM's C (SD) Company's month-long training attachment with the Morbegno Battalion of the 5th Alpini Regiment stationed in Vipiteno.

Following their arrival in Italy nearly a month ago, the Maltese platoon was incorporated in the Audace Company which was then conducting training in peace support operations in preparation for its deployment to Bosnia in June. The multi-phased intensive training schedule spanned over four weeks and included vehicle checkpoint and convoy drill training, advanced patrolling and anti-riot training.

The training of the Maltese soldiers with a unit that has participated in so many humanitarian operations overseas proved to be very beneficial, the AFM said.

It said that the Italian troops demonstrated a practical approach to problem solving derived from their vast experience, "however, on the other hand, they appreciated and learned from our soldiers' solid theoretical grounding apprehended from their British and American trained officers and senior non-commissioned officers."

The training attachment was made possible through the hard work of the infantry section within the Italian Military Mission stationed in Malta.

C (SD) Company forms part of the AFM's 1st Regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Raphael Farrugia.