Officials introduce war on terrorism medals

Airman, May, 2004

WASHINGTON -- Department of Defense officials announced in February the final approval of two new medals and the criteria to recognize service members serving at home and abroad in the war on terrorism.

Individuals who deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom will be awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal will be awarded to those who served in airport security operations in the United States following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks or who supported Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle or Iraqi Freedom.

Individuals can receive both medals if they meet the individual criteria.

To be awarded the expeditionary medal, Airmen must have been deployed outside the United States for Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. The time requirement is not needed if the individual engaged in combat, was wounded or killed in action, or was medically evacuated for any reason.

The area of eligibility encompasses the U.S. Central Command area (excluding the lower Horn of Africa), Middle East, eastern Turkey, Philippines, Diego Garcia and all air spaces above the land and adjacent water areas.

Each day aircrew members fly sorties into designated areas counts as one day of deployment toward the 30- or 60-day requirement.

Individuals engaged in actual combat may be eligible for battle stars on the expeditionary medal. Only a combatant commander can initiate a request for a battle star, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the approving authority for them, according to a DOD release.

Service members eligible to receive the service medal must have participated in or supported operations on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Service medal eligibility dates run from Sept. 27, 2001, to May 31, 2002, for individuals who served in airport security operations.

The same 30- or 60-day requirements apply to the service medal as to the expeditionary medal.

--courtesy Air Force Print News