NATO Secretary General arrives in Iraq with Supreme Allied Commander Europe
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Baghdad on Monday (16 September 2019) for talks with the Iraqi government and the leadership of the Alliance’s new training mission in the country. Mr. Stoltenberg is being accompanied by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Tod Wolters.
The Secretary General began his 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 Defence. At Taji, Mr Stoltenberg 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.
While in Iraq, the Secretary General will also meet 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.
Following a decision by Allied leaders at NATO’s 2018 Summit, hundreds of trainers and support staff from Allies and partners are now in Iraq, providing advice and support. NATO also supports a number of Iraqi military schools and academies, including the Defense University. These efforts are intended to make lraq’s forces and institutions more effective, and suppress the return of international terrorism that could threaten NATO Allies.