Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta | |
---|---|
Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security | |
Reports to | Minister for Home Affairs and National Security |
Appointer | President of Malta |
Precursor | Commander of the Malta Land Force |
Formation | 19 April 1973 |
Website | Official Website |
The Commander of the Armed Forces is the highest-ranking military officer of in the Armed Forces of Malta, who is responsible for maintaining the operational command of the military. The current commander is Brigadier Clinton J. O'Neill.
No. | Portrait | Commander AMF | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brigadier Alfred Samut-Tagliaferro | 19 April 1973 | August 1975 | 2 years, 3 months | [1] | |
2 | Arthur J.A. Gera MBE | BrigadierAugust 1975 | 28 February 1980 | 4 years, 6 months | [1] | |
3 | John Spiteri (?–2011) | Brigadier1 March 1980 | September 1991 | 11 years, 6 months | [1] [2] [3] | |
4 | Maurice E. Calleja | BrigadierSeptember 1991 | December 1993 | 2 years, 3 months | [1] | |
5 | Claude M. Gaffiero | BrigadierDecember 1993 | December 1996 | 3 years | [1] | |
6 | Rupert C. Montanaro | BrigadierDecember 1996 | 28 February 2004 | 7 years, 2 months | [1] | |
7 | Carmel Vassallo (born 1954) | Brigadier1 March 2004 | 16 January 2010 | 5 years, 321 days | [4] [5] | |
8 | Martin Xuereb (born 1968) | Brigadier16 January 2010 | 20 December 2013 | 3 years, 338 days | [5] [6] | |
9 | Jeffrey Curmi (born 1975) | Brigadier20 December 2013 | June 2022 | 8 years, 5 months | [7] [8] | |
10 | Clinton J. O'Neill | BrigadierJune 2022 | Incumbent | 1 year, 228 days |
Brigadier is a military rank, the seniority of which depends on the country. In some countries, it is a senior rank above colonel, equivalent to a brigadier general or commodore, typically commanding a brigade of several thousand soldiers. In other countries, it is a non-commissioned rank.
The Armed Forces of Malta is the name given to the combined armed services of Malta. The AFM is a brigade sized organisation consisting of a headquarters and three separate battalions, with minimal air and naval forces. Since Malta is the guardian of the European Union's southernmost border, the AFM has an active role in border control.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Malta rank among the highest in the world. Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the rights of the LGBT community received more awareness and same-sex sexual activity was legalized on 29 January 1973. The prohibition was already dormant by the 1890s.
The De Redin Towers are a series of small coastal watchtowers built in Malta by the Order of Saint John between 1658 and 1659. Thirteen towers were built around the coast of mainland Malta, eight of which still survive.
The Iranian Armed Forces, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces, are the combined military forces of Iran, comprising the Islamic Republic of Iran Army (Artesh), the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah) and the Law Enforcement Force (Faraja).
The Diciotti class is an Italian-designed offshore patrol vessel, presently in use with the Italian Coast Guard, Iraqi Navy, Armed Forces of Malta and Panama SENAN. These ships are designed and built by Fincantieri on the bay of La Spezia to Muggiano and Riva Trigoso shipyards.
Brigadier Martin G. Xuereb was the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, a position he assumed on 18 January 2010, succeeding Brigadier Carmel Vassallo.
The Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta 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.
The Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta is the naval component of the Maltese military. The Maritime Squadron has responsibility for the security of Maltese territorial waters, maritime surveillance and law enforcement, as well as search and rescue. It is based at Hay Wharf in Floriana.
Rank comparison chart of all armies and land forces of European states.
Hay Wharf or Haywharf is a naval base in Marsamxett Harbour, in Floriana, Malta. The wharf has been the main base of the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta since 1977, and a new facility was built between 2015 and 2016.
The 1st Regiment is a light infantry battalion of the Armed Forces of Malta. The Regimental Headquarters is at Lyster Barracks in Ħal Far. Lyster Barracks was a former Royal Navy and Royal Air Force barracks and originally named after Vice Admiral Sir Arthur Lumley St George Lyster. Admiral Lyster commanded the Fleet Air Arm force that protected the Operation Pedestal convoy force to Malta during World War 2. The current barracks site includes some of the original British military architecture and four of the accommodation blocks are named after famous Royal Navy aircraft carriers, some of whom were frequent visitors to Malta; i.e. Glorious, Courageous, Eagle and Hermes
Rank comparison chart of all navies of European states.
Rank comparison chart of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and enlisted personnel for all armies and land forces of European states.
The Royal Malta Fencible Regiment was an infantry battalion of the British Army which existed from 1815 to 1861 in Malta, then a British colony. The regiment was recruited and organised by Francesco Rivarola in 1815; Rivarola had proved himself loyal to the British Crown in fighting France. In 1861 the regiment was disbanded as an infantry unit and designated as a coastal artillery defence regiment, becoming the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.
The Armed Forces of Malta Band is a Maltese platoon-sized musical group representing the units of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM). The AFM Band is a regular participant in official events and ceremonies, mostly performing on major holidays such as Republic Day in December. The band's area of responsibility includes Malta and Gozo. The personnel of the AFM Band make up the only specialised marching band on the island. The band currently has 43 musicians in its ranks, who, besides their duties as bandsmen, also perform their military duties as medics and security officers.
Rank comparison chart of all armies and land forces of the European Union member states.
Rank comparison chart of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and enlisted personnel for all armies and land forces of the European Union member states.
Rank comparison chart of all navies of the European Union member states.
Rank comparison chart of all navies of the European Union member states. Some EU member states do not have naval forces, either because they are landlocked Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg and Slovakia.