General Wolters and Secretary General Stoltenberg began their trip with a visit to the Iraqi School of Military Communications at Taji, one of the educational institutions being supported by NATO. The School trains personnel from the Ministry of Interior and the Counterterrorism Service. At Taji, they also visited the Tactical Aviation Detachment. The Detachment houses Canadian CH-146 Griffon helicopters providing essential support to NATO’s training and advisory efforts in the country.
Through our training mission here in Iraq, we are helping to enable the global fight against terrorism
“I am inspired by the dedication of the Iraqi troops and people who want to protect their country against Daesh. Through our training mission here in Iraq, we are helping to enable the global fight against terrorism,” said General Wolters.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenburg and Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Tod Wolters meet with Prime Minister of Iraq Adil Abdul-Madhi during a visit to NATO Mission Iraq, September 16 - 17 - Photo by NATO Mission Iraq Media Ops
While in Iraq, General Wolters also met with the Commander of NATO Mission Iraq, Major General Dany Fortin; with Commander of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, Lieutenant General Robert White; and with a number of senior Iraqi officials, as well as representatives of the international community.
NATO is providing a non-combat Training Mission in Iraq, at the request of the Iraqi government. This mission, known as NATO Mission Iraq, includes hundreds of NATO personnel, who are helping to strengthen the Iraqi forces by training, advising and assisting. Training on topics such as military medicine, engineering, intelligence, communications, and countering improvised explosive devices is helping develop a core group of instructors and trainers and a network of highly professional, effective military schools.