History / Chronology

The MoU regarding the participation in NMIOTC manning, activities and provision of training was signed between the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense and the initial sponsoring Nations: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania and Türkiye.

The Centre declared Full Operational Capability on March 17th 2008. The Official inauguration took place on the 14th of October 2008 at Souda Naval Base, Crete. In the period leading up to these events, and later on, the Centre consolidated and improved internal organization and its education and training products, and at the same time was committed to make itself widely known. Since summer of 2008, NATO and Partners Nations have started training at NMIOTC.

NMIOTC also participated in the planning and the conduct of MIO related exercises with the involvement of surface units and more than 200 multinational trainees from more than 10 NATO and Non-NATO entities. The same year NMIOTC also provided certain education to the Standing NATO Maritime Groups, SNMG1 and SNMG2, prior to their deployment in Operation Ocean Shield.

NMIOTC conducted a high level seminar on Maritime Interdiction of Weapon of Mass Destruction.
The seminar was the first commitment to support the NATO community in promoting and organizing forums for discussions and sharing of knowledge and experience in the area of Maritime Interdiction related issues.

NMIOTC conducted a high level seminar on Maritime Interdiction of Weapon of Mass Destruction.
The seminar was the first commitment to support the NATO community in promoting and organizing forums for discussions and sharing of knowledge and experience in the area of Maritime Interdiction related issues.

The Maritime Chemical, Biological, Radiological Nuclear detection, identification and control operation field trial was conducted.

The Centre was awarded the QA unconditional accreditation by ACT and was the first NETF that obtained this certification.

Both the UK and the US decided to contribute to the NMIOTC efforts, by assigning maritime operations expert officers to the Centre, starting from January and July respectively, on a rotational basis.

NMIOTC Sponsoring Nations community was further enriched with the joining of Poland by the assignment of the first Polish officer.

NMIOTC has fulfilled 10 years of training presence and the achievement of recognition inside NATO Structure is apparent.

NMIOTC was recognized as a NAEMT (National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians) authorized Training Centre.

The Centre was awarded the 2nd QA unconditional accreditation by ACT, for 6 more years.