Spanish Change of Command at the Chief of Staff Position in the NATO Mission in Iraq

•  After a year deployed in Baghdad, Brigadier General De Meer Madrid has handed over command to Brigadier General Sebastián De Erice

The Change of Command ceremony took place at Union III Base in Baghdad, marking the transition at the Chief of Staff position of the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI). A year of leadership fullfilled, Brigadier General  José De Meer Madrid passed the baton to Brigadier General Pedro Miguel Sebastián De Erice LLano.

During the Transfer of Authority ceremony, Brigadier General De Meer's commitment and that of his command team were recognized for their efforts in strengthening international cooperation and deepening ties between NATO and Iraqi institutions.  Brigadier General Sebastián De Erice officially assumed his duties as Chief of Staff, becoming Spain’s senior representative in the mission, and pledged to continue the work and leadership of his predecessor.

In addition to his responsibilities as Chief of Staff of the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), Brigadier General De Erice also serves as Commander of the Spanish contingent deployed in the Iraqi Joint Operations Area, under the framework of both the NATO Mission Iraq and the international coalition’s Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), deployed across Iraq, Kuwait, and Jordan.

NATO Mission Iraq

The NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) aims at supporting the strengthening of Iraqi security forces and military education institutions through training and advising personnel from the Iraqi Ministry of Defence, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and various Iraqi military schools and defence education institutions.

NMI fully integrates both civilian and military personnel with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of NATO’s efforts and maximizing cooperation with other actors on the ground. NMI complements broader international efforts to promote long-term stability in Iraq and the region. To this end, it coordinates its support with international partners operating in Iraq, including the Global Coalition -leading Operation Inherent Resolve-, the European Union, and the United Nations. NMI also incorporates gender perspectives throughout all stages of its initiation, design, and planning processes. A Gender Advisor is deployed as part of the Senior Advisory Group, and gender considerations are incorporated into all planning, guidance, foresight, and assessment processes.