HMS Kent’s visit to Malta has allowed Royal Navy and Maltese air crew to pick up hints from each other as the hosts prepare to operate an aircraft at sea for the first time next year.

Kent sailed from the UK in August to join the NATO permanent Mediterranean task group SNFM (Standing Naval Force Mediterranean, or ‘sniff ’em’ in Naval parlance) and join HMS Invincible on Exercised Destined Glory.

With duties alongside the Fleet flagship over, the Type 23 frigate visited Malta to foster ties with the island’s small, but highly-skilled, armed forces.

On a misty morning 20 October HMS Kent’s Lynx lifted to conduct the short transit flight to Malta’s main airport Luqa.

Co-operation in the air was the crux of the visit, so Kent’s Lynx helicopter, Flight 425, left the frigate as she sailed in to make the short hop to Malta’s main airport at Luqa.

Coasting in past the island’s capital, Valletta, and over the majestic Grand Harbour, the signs looked promising as the sun burnt through the mist to reveal clear blue skies.

The helicopter landed at the military side of the otherwise commercial airfield, to be welcomed by the Commanding Officer of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Air Squadron, Maj J. Abdilla

The Armed Forces of Malta comprise around 1,600 men and women who are, broadly speaking, divided into three regiments encompassing Infantry, Maritime, and Air and Logistics.

Although relatively few in number, they are a proud and professional force – and are particularly eager to learn all they can regarding maritime aviation operations, since they plan to conduct sea trials with their first aviation-capable Offshore Patrol Vessel during the middle of next year.

Their coastal defence capability has an impressive Search and Rescue (SAR) peacetime role, and this was the main focus of the first day’s briefings.

The British flight was also briefed on the Maltese Alouette 3, the helicopter used for the majority of their SAR missions and patrols around the island.

The following day saw the opportunity for HMS Kent’s Lynx to get back into the habit of low-level flying, having spent nine weeks flying over nothing more mountainous than a sea state six.

The opportunity to fly low and fast over stunning coastline and lagoons proved highly rewarding for the Fleet Air Arm team – and the Maltese aircrew were also given the chance to experience Royal Naval aviation first-hand, seeing what the Lynx is capable of and gaining their first insight into maritime aviation.

The next day brought the chance for a real exchange of experience. The plan was for a SAR exercise involving Kent’s Lynx and an Alouette 3 Maltese aircraft conducting winching to a 20ft Maltese Armed Forces patrol boat.

Whilst the pilot and observer remained with their own aircraft, the winch operator and winchman was to be from the other country.

As the two aircraft lifted from Luqa the Second Observer (Lt Matt Boulind) and winchman (AEM Taff’ Parsons) from HMS Kent’s Flight settled into their unfamiliar seats in the Alouette and considered the prospect of winching from a hitherto unknown aircraft.

During the exercise the winchman was deployed three times on to the patrol boat. Simultaneously, taking turn and turn about, the Maltese winch operator and SAR diver conducted the same evolution from the Lynx, all under the watchful eye of the Flight Commander Lt Gary Criddle.

On completion the Maltese sent a delegation, including the Second in Command of their force, Maj Claudio Spiteri, and the Commanding Officer of the Air Squadron, to HMS Kent.

Once aboard they were briefed on the manner in which the Royal Navy conduct maritime air operations, with specific regard to the differences in landing on a moving deck as opposed to an airfield.

The visitors then had a good look at the flight deck – and the fact that the Type 23 frigate has the largest flight deck in the Royal Navy destroyer/frigate fleet did nothing to allay their concerns.

With the theory covered, it was time for the AFM Air Squadron Commanding Officer to experience deck operations up close.

On sailing, HMS Kent conducted a deck landing training serial with the AFM CO sat, wide-eyed, in the Lynx.

He was able to experience a variety of deck landing techniques on a moving deck, a memorable experience for a Maltese pilot with more than 6,000 hours experience but not one deck landing.

The aircraft’s final sortie from Luqa airfield was back to ‘mother’ – taking a last look at the stunning scenery of the island before heading north to the frigate.

Weapon Engineer Officer Lt Cdr Steve Corps said: “The few days spent in company with the Maltese Armed Force had proved both valuable and enlightening.

“The experience of the Maltese Air Squadron at SAR operations in the Mediterranean environment is unrivalled, and of great benefit to anyone visiting this theatre of operations.

“Their hospitality throughout was exceptional and very gratefully received.

“HMS Kent wish the Maltese the best of fortune in their future maritime air operations, and the Flight of HMS Kent looks forward to the next opportunity to again fly alongside the Malta Air Squadron.”

Link to HMS Kent fact card