1 Regiment

‘D’ Company is a tri-platoon element with its own Headquarters, located at Lyster Barracks, Hal Far with the mission of directly supporting the Battalion’s manoeuvre companies by means of mortars, heavy machine guns and anti-tank weapons.

‘D’ (Support) Company forms part of 1st Regiment, Armed Forces of Malta (AFM), and is based at Lyster Barracks, Hal-Far. It is a motorised Infantry Battalion Support Company made up of a Headquarters (CHQ) element supporting a Medium Machine Gun Platoon, a Medium Mortar Platoon and an Anti-Tank Platoon.

The Company has a primarily standard infantry role with the added duty to directly support the Battalion’s manoeuvre companies by means of mortars, heavy machine guns and anti-tank weapons. It also provides military assistance to government departments in national emergencies. ‘D’ (Support) Company is tasked to provide military aid to the Police Force during internal security situations (such as general elections or assistance with the ongoing illegal immigrants’ influx). The Company provides assistance during flood relief, has riot control duties and provides personnel for state ceremonies.

Established only in 1996, the Company has proven extremely adaptable to very diverse tasks demanding constant flexibility. In 2002, the Maltese islands were flooded with hundreds of illegal immigrants entering Maltese territory. In view of the ever-increasing emergency, most training activities were suspended, and ‘D’ Company was tasked with containing illegal immigrants at Lyster Barracks, Hal Far. All the sub-unit’s personnel were deployed full-time on duty with the illegal immigrants. Recently, the task changed from a closed centre to an open centre mode of operations, and the migrants have now local freedom of movement.

SUPPORT WEAPONS

1. The anti-tank missile launcher
A Support Company platoon may utilise up to six crew-served anti-tank weapons, either in direct fire or by attachment to the line companies.

2. Browning 0.50 Cal Heavy machine-gun
Named after John Browning, it was first used in World War 1 by the French troops. Still widely in use around the world, it today has modifications which include an increase in its calibre to .50 (12.7 mm) and an air cooling system. The maximum effective range is 2,000 metres. A Support Company platoon carries six 0.50 calibre guns in combat.

3. 81 mm Mortar
The 81-mm mortar is a NATO standard calibre medium mortar system with a minimum range of 500 metres and a maximum range of 5,500 metres. A Support Company can be deployed by platoon, by section or by teams using 4 tubes in combat.


	‘D’ Company is a tri-platoon element with its own Headquarters, located at Lyster Barracks, Hal Far with the mission of directly supporting the Battalion’s manoeuvre companies by means of mortars, heavy machine guns and anti-tank weapons. ‘D’ (Support) Company forms part of 1st Regiment, Armed Forces of Malta (AFM), and is based at Lyster Barracks, Hal-Far. It is a motorised Infantry Battalion Support Company made up of a Headquarters (CHQ) element supporting a Medium Machine Gun Platoon, a Medium Mortar Platoon and an Anti-Tank Platoon. The Company has a primarily standard infantry role with the added duty to directly support the Battalion’s manoeuvre companies by means of mortars, heavy machine guns and anti-tank weapons. It also provides military assistance to government departments in national emergencies. ‘D’ (Support) Company is tasked to provide military aid to the Police Force during internal security situations (such as general elections or assistance with the ongoing illegal immigrants’ influx). The Company provides assistance during flood relief, has riot control duties and provides personnel for state ceremonies. Established only in 1996, the Company has proven extremely adaptable to very diverse tasks demanding constant flexibility. In 2002, the Maltese islands were flooded with hundreds of illegal immigrants entering Maltese territory. In view of the ever-increasing emergency, most training activities were suspended, and ‘D’ Company was tasked with containing illegal immigrants at Lyster Barracks, Hal Far. All the sub-unit’s personnel were deployed full-time on duty with the illegal immigrants. Recently, the task changed from a closed centre to an open centre mode of operations, and the migrants have now local freedom of movement. SUPPORT WEAPONS 1. The anti-tank missile launcher A Support Company platoon may utilise up to six crew-served anti-tank weapons, either in direct fire or by attachment to the line companies. 2. Browning 0.50 Cal Heavy machine-gun Named after John Browning, it was first used in World War 1 by the French troops. Still widely in use around the world, it today has modifications which include an increase in its calibre to .50 (12.7 mm) and an air cooling system. The maximum effective range is 2,000 metres. A Support Company platoon carries six 0.50 calibre guns in combat. 3. 81 mm Mortar The 81-mm mortar is a NATO standard calibre medium mortar system with a minimum range of 500 metres and a maximum range of 5,500 metres. A Support Company can be deployed by platoon, by section or by teams using 4 tubes in combat.
1 Regiment, AFM
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