Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter assumes command of NATO Training Mission – Iraq

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter assumed command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Training Mission- Iraq (NTM-I) from U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero in a change of command ceremony Jan. 5 at the Babylon Conference Center in central Baghdad.

Moments before the ceremony, United States Forces-Iraq commander, U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd Austin promoted Ferriter to lieutenant general.

Austin accepted the colours from Barbero and passed them on to Ferriter to signify the changing of command. Austin spoke to a crowd of senior Iraqi military, political and civilian leaders, including Iraq’s Minister of Defense, Abdul Qadir Mohammed Jassim Obeidi, as well as senior military personnel.

“Lt. Gen. Ferriter has demonstrated a mastery of leading and transforming large and complex organizations through challenging times,” Austin said.

As NTM-I commander, Ferriter aims to assist Iraqis in establishing enduring security stability by advising, assisting, training and equipping Iraqi Security Forces, and organizing out-of-country training at NATO institutions in various countries.

The NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I) has been running since 2004 and 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. 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.

“Relationships that Lt. Gen. Barbero has built with our NATO allies have resulted in the training of thousands of Iraqis soldiers and policeman and has solidified Iraq’s relationship with NATO and many of its regional neighbours,” Austin said.

Progress in Iraq over the last 15 months has been significant by all standards: reduced violence, free and fair elections, growing Iraqi capabilities, Barbero said.

“I’m eager to help create an even stronger partnership between Iraq, the U.S. forces and the U.S. embassy, one that sets the conditions for successful transition and a stable Iraq for years to come,” Ferriter said.

Barbero said. “Lt. Gen. Mike Ferriter is the right leader to tackle the complex and challenging transitions that are ahead.”