NATO Training Mission – Iraq

The NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I) was established in 2004 at the request of the, at that point unelected, Iraqi Interim Government under the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1546.

The aim of NTM-I was to assist in the development of the collaborating Iraqi security forces’ training structures and institutions so that the Iraqi Interim Government could build an effective and sustainable capability that addressed the needs of the newly established nation.

[1] NTM-I delivered training, advice and mentoring support along three main lines of activity: The challenge for NTM-I was in the transition from being a training provider to becoming a mentor of trainers and ultimately establishing the capability for Iraq to autonomously organise and direct security force training as part of a broader strategic relationship with NATO.

Through its activities NTM-I helped pave the way for a long-term relationship between the Alliance and Iraq under a Structured Cooperation Framework.

The NTM-I footprint was a small tactical force of around 170 NATO/Partnership for Peace personnel, representing 13 member nations (as at August 2010).