NATO’s assistance to Iraq

In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1546, the NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I) was set up in 2004 at the request of the Iraqi Interim Government. The NTM-I is not a combat mission. Its operational emphasis is on training and mentoring, and equipment donation and coordination through the NATO Training and Equipment Co-ordination Group. The aim of NTM-I is to help Iraq develop a democratically-led and enduring security sector.

To reinforce this initiative, NATO is working with the Iraqi government on a structured cooperation framework to develop the Alliance’s long-term relationship with Iraq.

The aim and contours of the mission

While NATO does not have a direct role in the international stabilization force that has been in Iraq since May 2003, it is helping the Iraqi government build the capability to ensure, by its own means, the security needs of the Iraqi people.

Operationally, NTM-I has specialized at the strategic level with the training of mid- to senior-level officers. By providing mentoring, advice and instruction support though in- and out-of-country training and the coordination of deliveries of donated military equipment, NTM-I has made a tangible contribution to the rebuilding of military leadership in Iraq and the development of the Iraqi Ministry of Defence and the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).

In 2007, Allies decided to extend their training assistance to Iraq by including gendarmerie-type training of the national police in order to bridge the gap between routine police work and military operations. In December 2008, on the request of Prime Minister Al-Maliki, NATO expanded the Mission to other areas including navy and air force leadership training, border security, defence reform, defence institution building, and small arms and light weapons accountability.

The NTM-I delivers its training, advice and mentoring support in a number of different settings. All NATO member countries are contributing to the training effort either in or outside Iraq, through financial contributions or donations of equipment.

In-country training and coordinating

• The NATO Training, Education and Doctrine Centre
  On the outskirts of Baghdad, at Ar-Rustamiyah, NATO has set up a training and education centre for senior security and defence officials called the Joint Staff College. It focuses on the training of middle and senior-level personnel so as to help develop an officer corps trained in modern military leadership skills. It also aims to introduce values that are in keeping with democratically-controlled armed forces.
  
  
• The National Defence College
  The North Atlantic Council agreed to support the establishment of the National Defence College on 22 September 2004. It was officially opened by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Prime Minister Al-Jafaari on 27 September 2005. 
  
  
• The Defence Language Institute
  Located in Baghdad, this institute is teaching civilian and military officials English. It is attached to the National Defence College. NATO played a key role in its establishment by advising on the course curriculum and assisting in the acquisition of its facilities, computers and furniture.
  
  
• The Iraqi Training and Doctrine Command
  The Iraqi Training and Doctrine Command (ITDC) opened in early 2007. The arrival of additional Iraqi personnel resulted in the ITDC reaching full operational completion by July 2007.

Out-of-country training

• NATO training schools
  Training is also conducted outside Iraq in NATO schools and training centres throughout NATO member countries. In order to allow an increasing number of Iraqi personnel to take part in specialized training outside of Iraq, NATO supported the establishment of the Defence Language Institute as above.

• The NATO Training and Equipment Coordination Group
  This group was established at NATO HQ on 8 October 2004. Based in Baghdad, it works to coordinate the requirements of the Iraqi government for training and equipment that is offered by NATO as a whole or by individual NATO member countries.

• Coordinating bilateral assistance
  Additionally, NATO is helping to coordinate bilateral assistance provided by individual NATO member countries in the form of additional training, equipment donations and technical assistance both in and outside Iraq.

Command of the mission

The NATO mission is a distinct mission, under the political control of NATO’s North Atlantic Council. Nonetheless, NATO’s training missions are coordinated with Iraqi authorities and the US-led Multinational Force (MNF).

The NTM-I commander, who commands the NATO effort in the country, is dual-hatted: he also commands the MNF training effort. He reports to the Supreme Allied Commander Operations at SHAPE, Belgium for all matters related to NATO efforts in the country. The latter then reports, via the Chairman of the Military Committee, to the North Atlantic Council.

The current NTM-I commander is Lieutenant General Frank Helmick, US. He assumed command on 3 July 2008. Since 27 June 2008, the Deputy NTM-I commander has been Major General Paolo Bosotti, Italy.

The MNF provides a secure environment for the protection of NATO forces in Iraq. The NATO chain of command has responsibility for close area force protection for all NATO personnel deployed to Iraq or the region.

The evolution of NATO’s training effort in Iraq

In a letter sent to te NATO Secretary General on 22 June 2004, the interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ilyad Allawi requested NATO support to his government through training and other forms of technical assistance.

At their Summit meeting in Istanbul on 28 June 2004 - the day that sovereignty was formally transferred to an Interim Iraqi Government - NATO leaders agreed to assist Iraq with the training of its security forces and encouraged member countries to contribute.

The NATO Training Implementation Mission

A Training Implementation Mission was established on 30 July 2004. Its goal was to identify the best methods for conducting training both inside and outside the country. In addition, the Mission immediately began training selected Iraqi headquarters personnel in Iraq.

The first elements of the Mission deployed on 7 August, followed by a team of about 50 officers led by Major General Carel Hilderink of the Netherlands.

Expanding NATO's assistance

On 22 September 2004, based on the Mission's recommendations, the North Atlantic Council agreed to expand NATO's assistance, including establishing a NATO-supported Iraqi Training, Education and Doctrine Centre in Iraq.

In November 2004, NATO's military authorities prepared a detailed concept of operations for the expanded assistance, including the rules of engagement for force protection.

On 9 December 2004, NATO Foreign Ministers authorized the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) to start the next stage of the mission.

The activation order for this next stage was given by SACEUR on 16 December 2004. It paved the way for the deployment of 300 additional staff, including trainers and support staff, and a significant increase in the existing training and mentoring given to mid- and senior-level personnel from the Iraqi security forces.

It also changed the mission’s name from NATO Training Implementation Mission to NATO Training Mission-Iraq.

By February 2005, the new mission was fully staffed and funded.

At the summit meeting in Riga, November 2006, heads of state and government agreed to develop niche training options within the mandate of the NTM-I on the request of the Iraqi Prime Minister. A few months later, training was extended to include gendarmerie-type training of the national police.  

In April 2008, NATO leaders extended the Mission through 2009 and approved proposals for a structured cooperation framework to develop the Alliance’s long-term relationship with Iraq.

Later in the year, in December 2008, the Mission was expanded to other areas. These areas include navy and air force leadership training, police training, border security, defence reform, defence institution building, and small arms and light weapons accountability.