The event was attended by the Maltese Minister of National Security, the Hon. George Abela, who wanted to emphasize the excellent relations of friendship and collaboration between the two countries. After a brief address by the Head of Mission, pilot colonel Luca Mariz, and the Italian ambassador in Malta, HE Giovanni Umberto de Vito, Minister Abela, formally accepting the donation of the aircraft, thanked the Italian Armed Forces for their contribution to the formation of the Armed Forces of Malta over the past 40 years on the island.
Minister Abela was particularly pleased with the joint work carried out by the staff of the SAR section, together with Air Wing personnel, in the indispensable and noble mission of saving people in danger, hoping that the collaboration between the Italian and Maltese Defense can continue profitably in the wake of the historic friendship and closeness between the two countries.
Since the beginning of the activities, the SAR Section of the MICCD, operating with mixed Italian-Maltese crews, first on an AB204 helicopter and, from the 1987, with the HH212 aircraft, has produced more than 14.000 flight hours, of which over 1500 in real research operations and rescue, recovering lost 279 and carrying 173 people in imminent danger of life.
Source: Italian Mission of Collaboration in the Field of Defense - Malta - cv Vittorio Pagotto
