AFM Engineers Transform Rubble-Filled Field Into Fully Operational Military Base

Members of the Armed Forces of Malta’s 3 Regiment Engineer Squadron have demonstrated their combat engineering skills by transforming a rubble-filled field into a fully operational Forward Operating Base during Exercise Shifty Fox. The exercise brought together personnel undergoing Plant Operator and Combat Engineer trade courses in a single integrated deployment, designed to simulate realistic operational conditions while showcasing the full range of engineering capabilities within the regiment. Over the course of the exercise, troops converted an undeveloped site into a secure and sustainable military base capable of supporting continuous operations. Using heavy machinery, defensive structures and field engineering techniques, personnel established perimeter security, accommodation areas, vehicle holding zones, lighting infrastructure and fortified defensive positions. The project focused on three core military engineering functions: mobility, counter-mobility and survivability, all of which play a crucial role in supporting military operations in the field. Once construction was completed, personnel launched into a five-day field exercise operating directly from the newly established base, conducting continuous day and night activities from the site. Photos shared by the Armed Forces of Malta show the scale of the transformation, with what began as a rough field becoming a fully functioning Forward Operating Base capable of sustaining around-the-clock tactical operations. Exercise Shifty Fox formed part of ongoing training efforts aimed at preparing AFM personnel for the challenges of modern military engineering and operational deployments. Congratulations to those involved! Photo credits to Armed Forces of Malta •