On 11 August 2015, a non-commissioned officer (NCO) took over the position of NCO instructor, previously held by 1st Sergeant David Nothar as part of the Luxembourgish army's military training efforts in Mali.
1st Sergeant David Nothar had held this position since 9 March 2015, aiding Luxembourg's role in the EU military mission currently underway in the West African country of Mali.
Luxembourg is among the 22 EU nations which are currently collaborating on the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Mali, which aims to restore security and peace in the country, a benefit to both Africa and Europe. The mission was originally launched on 18 February 2013, following the go-ahead from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2085 of 2012.
The roles of the various contributing States is to provide expertise and advice in all fields of military command and train combat units at the Koulikro training camp in western Mali, with a view to help rebuild Malian armed forces and attend to subsequent operational needs.
EUTM Mali, currently under the command of Spanish Brigadier General Alfonso García-Vaquero Pradal, consists of 200 instructors, 150 soldiers and 200 officers and NCO's, of which Sergeant Nothar's successor is one. The Main Headquarters of EUTM Mali are located in the capital of Bamako.
Luxembourg holds two personnel in Mali, the same number as Estonia, Latvia and Romania. The Luxembourgish army is now also present in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)-led missions of the KFOR crisis response project in Kosovo and the non-combat Operation Resolute Support in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Photo by EMA (1st Sergeant David Nothar)
