By the end of July, five Curtiss H-4 "Small America" flying boats were flown out of Felixstowe, England, to begin patrolling the approaches to Malta.

These were supported by de Havilland DH9s based at the grounds of the Royal Malta Golf Club at Marsa, operating in the anti-submarine role.

By September 1937, 209 and 210 Squadrons was operating the Short Singapore on anti-piracy patrols for the benefit of British shipping during the Spanish Civil War.

By 1940, these were supplemented by anti-submarine Short Sunderlands of 228 Squadron RAF along with Supermarine Walrus flying boats and a float-equipped Fairey Swordfish in the ASR role.

A secondary base at Ta' Veccia in St. Paul's Bay gave the maritime section greater coverage and reduced reaction times.