NATO School
Public Information Office
Press Release
NATO SCHOOL WELCOMED IRAQI STUDENTS
By SGM Sjon Selles, NLD AF, NATO School Public Affairs Office
29 September 2006
Oberammergau, Germany - Forty seven students from IraqÂ’s
security forces were at the NATO School from 18 to 29 September 2006 as
part of NATOÂ’s Training Mission in Iraq. These students participated in
the Operational Education Course and discussed a wide range of
operational issues. NATO-sponsored out-of-country training started in
November 2004 when 19 Iraqis underwent key leader training at the Joint
Warfare Centre in Stavanger, Norway, and another three joined regular
classes here at the NATO School where, to date, 298 more Iraqi students
have been trained. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to work
with Iraqi security personnel. Given our vast experience working
with many different nations, we are well prepared to integrate these
Iraqi officers into our courses,” said Colonel James J. Tabak, the School
commandant.
The Iraqis received instruction on working in national and joint
operations centres, and on working in a NATO-led multinational
headquarters conducting peace support operations. The language of
instruction was English and translation support was available as needed.
“We would like to extend our deepest thanks and gratitude for the
training provided by the NATO School,” the senior Iraqi in the delegation
said shortly before the group departed. He works for the Iraqi Ministry
of Interior. “The training we received proved the truthfulness of NATO’s
treaty strategies towards nations participating in Peace Support
Operations and in the fight against terrorism, to approach a free Iraq”,
he concluded. Another Iraqi senior official, who works at the Iraqi
Ministry of Defence, added: “We would like to express our special thanks
to the NATO School for training the Iraqi Security Forces both on the
tactical and strategic level in order to help Iraq regain its place
amongst other nations living in peace.”
The Iraqi
students were incorporated into all aspects of student life at the
school, and were offered cultural tours to local parts of Germany. “The
instruction we are providing is extremely relevant to the challenges and
opportunities these Iraqis face in rebuilding their nationÂ’s security
forces,” Colonel Tabak added. “What they learn here at the NATO
School will help them prepare the way for a stable and peaceful future in
their country.” The NATO School, a bilateral US-German training and
education facility, conducts courses on behalf of NATO and is a unique
institute in Europe which provides this training on the operational
level.