Commenting on this invitation, Commander Armed Forces of Malta (AFM), Brigadier Carmel Vassallo said “Malta, by means of its Armed Forces, is involved in various initiatives that are planned to take place in the Mediterranean Sea in the coming period.  These operations are dependent on the solidarity and cooperation of participating member states."

The announcement of Malta’s participation was made on Tuesday by Parliamentary Secretary, Dr. Tony Abela  while addressing 30 AFM Bandsmen who were about to fly out to Brussels to participate in the Tattoo Militaire International 2007, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Rome Treaty.  

Although still in its earliest planning stages, Operation "Poseidon" will see "C" Company personnel  deploy in three stages: first in May, then again in June, and finally in September, with each period overseas lasting 10 days.  

Brigadier Carmel Vassallo added that “One of these operations will take place in the Aegean Sea  and will be led by Greece.  At the moment, the AFM is preparing for the possibility of participating in this operation.  The AFM's eventual participation will consist of a number of soldiers from 1st regiment's "C" Company, who will be deployed for a short period of time and will be operating in conjunction with Greek forces and forces from other participating countries."  

Dr. Abela also remarked on the AFM Band's next major overseas event in Russia, precisely in St. Petersburg  In the last week of May when the Band will be holding individual seated programmes in the famous squares of this city, as well as marching along its grand avenues. The culmination of this visit will be another International Tattoo in one of the Sports Complexes of St Petersburg.

As of Wednesday, the AFM Band is participating in an International Military Tattoo in Brussels.

The AFM Band, along with other European Union (EU) Member States’ military bands at Tattoo Militaire International 2007, will perform at the Cinquantenaire esplanade area. This annual Belgian international festival of military music will see brass bands from the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Lithuania, France, Luxembourg, Austria, Greece, Malta and Cyprus taking part.

Various Chiefs of Defence of the EU Member States, including the Commander of the AFM, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, will honour the Bands with their presence.

The AFM Band can trace its beginnings to around 1943 when still part of the Royal Malta Artillery under Her Majesty’s Forces.   It now has a complement of forty-three highly qualified full-time musicians, under the baton of its Director of Music, Lieutenant John Ivan Borg.   As a Military Band, its primary role is to fulfil a range of commitments in support of the Armed Forces of Malta on numerous ceremonial occasions.   Its wide repertoire ranges from military marches to classic and popular music.