NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I) Commander, Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr., bade farewell to NTM-I's Danish contingent on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the unit's headquarters in Baghdad. Lt. Gen. Caslen expressed his thanks for their service in remarks following a medal parade for personnel who had completed their tour of duty in Iraq.
In his speech, General Caslen congratulated those who were receiving their NATO service medal and highlighted the importance of the role played by NTM-I in the building and professionalization of the Iraqi Security Forces.
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"I would like to make a special reference to the Danish contingent as you depart for the last time. Your nation's contribution has been truly outstanding over the seven years that you have been a part of this mission. On behalf of the other Member Nations, I thank you for your service and that of your predecessors and wish you well for the future.”
NTM-I Deputy Commander, Maj. Gen. Giovanni Armentani, also paid his compliments to the Danish members of NTM-I, highlighting their unwavering commitment to the mission and their utmost professionalism, qualities which had proved instrumental to the remarkable results achieved and recognised by the Iraqi authorities. |
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Baghdad— MG Giovanni Armentani, NTM-I Deputy Commander (right), is delivering a Certificate of Appreciation to Col. Karsten Vestergaard, Danish
Senior National Representative. (Photo by NTM-I) |
"I can say today I consider myself privileged to have served with you. You demonstrated in any situation your dedication and loyalty to our mission. Thank you for all you have done and good luck”, said Maj. Gen. Armentani.
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Denmark is leaving NTM-I after being an integral part of the mission since 2004
Personnel from all services and ranks of the Danish
Armed Forces have served in influential posts during
the last seven years up to the end of their tenure,
most notably the Deputy Chief of Staff position, which
has been occupied by the Danish Senior National
Representative.
The most recent incumbent of that position, Col. Karsten Vestergaard, stated: "It has been a great
honour for me and the Danish contingent to work
with so highly qualified and skilled personnel from Iraq,
NATO and Partnership for Peace Nations and I wish
them all the best for the future.”
The Danish withdrawal comes as a consequence of a shift in national priorities and is consistent with the fact that the mission has been successful across several lines of operation. |
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Baghdad— MG Giovanni Armentani, NTM-I Deputy Commander
(center), is posing together with the Danish NTM-I members
leaving the mission on the occasion of the medal parade held at
Union III, the NTM-I HQ on Tuesday, November 15.
(Photo by NTM-I) |
The NATO Training Mission in Iraq (NTM-I) was established in 2004 at the request of the Iraqi Interim Government under the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1546. The aim of NTM-I is to assist in the development of Iraqi security forces training structures and institutions so that Iraq can build an effective and self-sustainable capability that address the needs of the nation.
NTM-I is not a combat mission but is a distinct training mission, under the political control of NATO's North Atlantic Council. Its operational emphasis is on training and mentoring. The activities of the mission are coordinated with Iraqi authorities and the Office for Security and Cooperation-Iraq (OSC-I) Chief, who is also dual-hatted as the Commander of NTM-I. NATO has an enduring commitment to Iraq.
NTM-I advises and supports the Defence University for Military Studies, National Defence College, War College, and the Defence Language Institute with the other institutions in Baghdad. Other cooperation projects for NATO in Iraq are out-of-country training courses for Iraqi nationals at NATO schools as well as the Iraqi Police (Iraqi Federal Police and Oil Police) training led by Italian Carabinieri.
Currently, NTM-I is a small tactical force of NATO/PfP personnel, representing 13 member nations (as of October 2011): Albania, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine (Partner for Peace), UK, USA.
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Baghdad— Group photograph of NTM-I personnel awarded with the NATO service medal, on the occasion of the medal parade on Tuesday, November 15; at center US Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen,Jr., NTM-I Commanding General.
(Photo by NTM-I) |
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Baghdad— US Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr., NTM-I
Commanding General, is pinning a medal on a Danish NTM-I
member on the occasion of the medal parade held on Tuesday, November 15 at Union III, the NTM-I HQ.
(Photo by NTM-I) |