EC EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SUMMER PROGRAMS: Visit to NAMFI

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Visit to NAMFI

Today we went to the NATO Missile Firing Installation where we had a short introductory presentation explaining their mission and what they do. Their goal is to "provide the Army, Navy and Airforce Air Defense units with the ability to conduct firings successfully and safely." After, we went to see the launch area and the control room they use when they are testing missiles. It was interesting to find out that the user nations of this installation are Germany, the Netherlands, and Greece because I was expecting there to be more involvement from the U.S. and other NATO countries. I was also surprised to hear that more and more private companies are using NAMFI to test their missiles and drones. The Major from the Greek military who gave us the tour provided us with some information directly related to the courses we are taking here, including the geopolitical importance of Crete being in the crossroads of three different continents. He also outlined how the structure of NATO works to cooperate with all countries and corporations.

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EC Eastern Security Studies Program

In the summer of 2011, as the "Arab Spring" was unfolding and the "Eurozone Crisis" was entering its second year, the Emmanuel College Eastern Mediterranean Security Studies Program was established in Crete, as a way to make the location the classroom. Beyond the grand theoretical, historical and political understanding that can be achieved through reading and classroom discussion and exchange, a more immediate, intimate and truer appreciation of the complexities can only achieved by experiencing the cultures, languages of personal interaction.

Since 2012 students have been able to combine an intensive curricular study, with the experience of immersion and living in a local setting. The geopolitical and geoeconomic forces that have acted in the region for centuries, can be identified in the classroom, but they can only be understood by being there. This year's EC EMSS Program will add a fourth week of study, experience and exploration and will also travel to the islands of Rhodes, and Cyprus. In Rhodes we will be partnering with the Prefecture of Southern Aegean and the Aegean University, while in Cyprus we will be hosted by the University of Nicosia.