The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) has its first female Operations Officer. Lieutenant Audrey Aquilina has in fact been appointed Operations Officer onboard the new Maritime Squadron's Diciotti-class flagship P61.

Lieutenant Aquilina (one of two female officers at Maritime Squadron) is now in charge of all Rigid-Hull Dinghy (RHIB) and law enforcement operations, gunnery and skill-at-arms training onboard and helicopter operations.  Her responsibilities will now also include those of bridge management, Officer of the Watch duties and training of the 31 Non-Commisioned Officers (NCOs) and seamen who form part of the 35- strong crew.  

Lieutenant Aquilina enlisted the AFM in January 2001 as a reservist with the Emergency Volunteer Reserve Force (EVRF) at Charley (Special Duties) Company of 1st Regiment AFM, based at Lyster Barracks, Hal Far.  She later was selected as an Officer Cadet with the Regular Force in November 2003.

After initial basic military training in Malta, she was enrolled to the Brittania Royal Naval College of Darmouth in the United Kingdom for a year's 'Basic Initial Officer's Training' course and successfully passed out on the 11th August 2005.  

In Malta, Lieutenant Aquilina has been performing shore-based duties as the Maritime Squadron's Integrated Logistics Officer where she was responsible for stores' management and procurement, the base armoury and ensuring that all AFM surface assets and base party divisions have the necessary equipment and items for operations' smooth running.