The primary role of this sub-unit focuses around its providing internal security services on a round the clock basis. Its personnel are also called to perform security guard duties at locations where a threat is likely to occur, like embassies, ambassadors’ residences or government buildings.
With the ever present anti-terrorist stance which military and law-enforcement agencies are obliged to take, ‘B’ Company is also tasked to conduct coastal land patrols, vehicle checkpoints and roadblocks, counter illegal immigrant narcotics trafficking, and even illegal bird hunting during closed seasons (the latter as assistance to the Police Force).
Often, ‘B’ Company soldiers find themselves in centre stage during their security duties when they are involved in a ceremonial role at the localities they are guarding, like the Presidential palaces of San Anton, Verdala, and Valletta, or the Prime Minister’s office at Auberge de Castille or his summer retreat at the Inquisitor’s Palace in Girgenti.
Although the personnel are mostly employed on a shift-basis, their military training obliges each individual to retain a set standard in physical fitness and weapons’ marksmanship. ‘B’Coy soldiers also undergo course in life-saving at sea and light-rescue techniques, narcotics’ identification, vehicle checkpoint/roadblock drills, unarmed combat, international humanitarian law, and other basic battle skills.
During times of emergency, ‘B’
Company personnel are amongst the first AFM units to provide flood
relief assistance and civil protection, anti-riot platoons, and an
outer cordon around any hijacked aircraft, besides assisting other
AFM units in the triage casualty handling of aircraft disaster accident
victims.