AIR
Force members who have served in the Afghanistan and Iraq campaigns
against terrorism will be eligible for new medals.
Prime Minister John Howard announced on Anzac Day that the Queen
had approved the establishment of specific campaign medals for
members of the ADF who had been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
They will be known as the Iraq Medal and the Afghanistan Medal.
The Afghanistan Medal will be awarded to ADF personnel who were
assigned to Op Slipper in Afghanistan, and support operations
in surrounding areas, from the beginning of operations on October
11, 2001, to the withdrawal of ADF forces on December 5, 2002.
Personnel subsequently deployed to Afghanistan from December 6,
2002, also qualify for the Afghanistan medal.
The Iraq Medal will recognise ADF involvement in and around Iraq
from March 18, 2003, in Ops Falconer and Catalyst.
ADF personnel must have served for at least 30 days in the defined
area of operations to be eligible for the medals.
The campaign medals will be of traditional design and will be
issued with an accompanying half-sized miniature medal. As yet,
the colour and design of the ribbon has not been decided.
The medals will be issued in nine to 12 months, once the design
has been chosen.
ADF deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq have currently been recognised
through the award of the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM)
with clasps ICAT and Iraq 2003 respectively.
“The Government believes that two medals are warranted to
adequately recognise the sustained contribution made by the ADF
in these two operational theatres,” Mr Howard said.
“Our servicemen and women have been at the forefront of combat
fighting in very difficult circumstances and are also making a
significant contribution to the rehabilitation and future of Iraq
and Afghanistan.”
CDF General Peter Cosgrove welcomed the announcement about the
new medals.
“The very significant contribution made by our men and women
on these operations has profoundly impressed not only the Australian
people, but the service men and women and citizens of other countries,”
GEN Cosgrove said.
“I am delighted that our Government has recommended, and
Her Majesty the Queen has agreed, to honour those who served and
continue to serve in Afghanistan, Iraq and places nearby.”
The Prime Minister also announced that civilians who had made
a notable contribution to the rehabilitation of Iraq and to meeting
the humanitarian needs of the people of Iraq would be awarded
the Iraq clasp for the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal.
