The sole AB.206A seen on a coastal patrol flight. The tail number 8185 is the c/n, which was also used as the serial by its previous Libyan operator. This AB.206 had been originally built with low skids and has only recently been brought to high-skid configuration.

A representative formation of the aircraft types in service with the AFM Air Squadron; only the Islander is missing.

Training with AFM patrol craft frequently involves the AB.212AMs of the Italian Military Mission.

Libyan Air Force SA 321M Super Frelon 151 seen taxiing in at Luqa - during the period 1978-1980 the so-called Libyan Military Delegation was based in Malta with a single SA321M and three Alouette IIIs to provide SAR coverage for the island.

Maltese Alouette III and AFM patrol craft

An Alouette III (9H-AAV) on coastal patrol over the small island of Comino. The Alouette III is the most capable helicopter serving with the Air Squadron and is regularly used for overwater patrol and SAR flights.

Although the O-1Es still wear ALE (now AVES) camouflage, they are shortly due to be repainted with the now standard white and green colour scheme.

AFM’s Air Squadron received a quantum leap in its operational capability with the entry into service of its PBN BN2B Islander 9H-ACU.

Technicians ‘recovering’ an AB.47G. Note the AFM badge on the fuel tank and one of the two AMI AB.212AMs detached to Malta in the background.