Medals of the Fifth Afghan War (IEPE)

The Transitional Government of Afghanistan

There is an apparent Afghan intent, after a new constitution is implemented ca. 2004, to institute a new series of national awards. In addition to civilian and military awards for service and gallantry, this is expected to include campaign awards. But these are probably some time in the future and campaign medals will probably prove immensely controversial..

The "Coalition"

The complete commitment of forces to the "International Coalition against Terrorism" in the weeks and months after the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States was as follows:

Air Elements	Land Elements	Sea Elements
Australia	Australia	Australia
Bahrain	Canada	Bahrain
Canada	Denmark	Canada
Denmark	Germany	France
France	Great Britain	Germany
Great Britain	Norway	Great Britain
New Zealand		Italy
Netherlands		Japan
Norway		Netherlands
United Arab Emirates

Landing and over flight rights, humanitarian relief, and other support services have been provided by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (South), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan.

Only the following countries deployed large numbers of troops in Afghanistan and only those that follow are presently believed to be contemplating the award of medals.

United States of America

This section deals with US awards for service in Operation Enduring Freedom (and another link).

On 26 April 2002, the National Defense Service Medal (originally established ??? and previously awarded for service 27 June 1950 to 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 to 14 August 1974, and 2 August 1990 to 30 November 1995) was renewed for service in the war against terrorism. Services by members of the U.S. armed forces from 11 September 2001 to a future date to be determined will warrant an award of this medal. The obverse of the medal shows an eagle with the legend "NATIONAL DEFENSE" above. The reserve shows a U.S. shield with a half-wreath below. The ribbon ...

Armed forces reserve and National Guard components activated for anti-terrorist operations and service in Afghanistan are eligible for the Armed Forces Reserve medal with “M” device. The medal was authorized in September 1950 to recognize ten years of long service in the reserve forces. The obverse The reverse is different for the various services (Army Reserve, National Guard, Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve). The award of this medal under these new criteria reflect changes adopted for service on or after 1 August 1990, by members called to active duty or members volunteering for active duty in support of US Military operations or contingencies. The "M" device is worn to indicate mobilization. Subsequent mobilizations are denoted by the wear of a numeral to indicate the number mobilizations.

On 12 March 2003, President George Bush signed executive orders creating two new awards for this (and other) service: the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. These are discussed individually below.

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal will be awarded to service members who serve in military expeditions to combat terrorism on or after 11 September 2001. Operation "Enduring Freedom" is the prime operation for which this medal would be awarded and personnel assigned to operations in Afghanistan and the Philippines are examples of service members who will receive the award. These awards are to be received in lieu of awards of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Armed Forces Service Medal, though not, apparently, of the National Defense Service Medal. The award is a 1-3/8-inch circular bronze medal. The obverse shows a shield adapted from the Great Seal of the United Sates with two crossed swords and an eagle grasping a serpent in its talons. Surrounding this, there is a wreath. The reverse repeats the eagle, serpent, and swords from the obverse and is surrounded by "WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL". The ribbon is light blue, with a central red stripe, flanked by gold stripes, and then by stripes of dark blue/white/dark blue. The medal is suspended by a ring.

The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal will be awarded to service members who serve in military operations to combat terrorism on or after 11 September 2001. Operation "Noble Eagle" is an example of the type of operation for which the medal may be awarded. These awards are to be received in lieu of awards of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Armed Forces Service Medal, though not, apparently, of the National Defense Service Medal. The award is a 1-3/8-inch circular bronze medal. The obverse shows the U.S. eagle with a globe above and behind it and surrounded by the legend "WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE MEDAL". The reverse shows a wreath on a plain field. The ribbon is dark blue with two thin white stripes toward the center. On the outside of these, there are two wider stripes (reading inward) of yellow and red. The medal is suspended by a ring.

While technically not an award for the war in Afghanistan, a related award is the Defense of Freedom Medal, established on 27 September 2001 to reward civilian employees of the U.S. Department of Defense who are wounded or killed in the line of duty. In effect, this is a civilian equivalent of the Purple Heart. While it was established in the direct context of the attack on the Pentagon, it will presumably be continued for other services in the future. The obverse of the medal shows "golden circle framing a bald eagle holding a shield which exemplifies the principles of freedom and the defense of those freedoms upon which our nation is founded", above there is the legend "DEFENSE OF FREEDOM". The reverse has, above, "ON BEHALF OF A GRATEFUL NATION", a blank plaque in the center on which the recipient's name will presumably be engraved, and a laurel wreath below. The ribbon is white with a broad central blue stripe (representing the Pentagon) and two red stripes on either side (representing the four terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001).

Another related medal was created by the U.S. Department of Transportation on 5 September 2002. The "Transportation 9-11 Medal" is to be awarded to Department of Transportation employees and private citizens for meritorious service and outstanding achievement in response to the attacks; almost all of the awards so far have been to Coast Guard personnel. The obverse of the circular brass medal shows 11 rays of light rising from a candle, with nine stars superimposed over the lights (heavy-handed 9-11 symbolism here). Two olives branches are set below the candle. It is inscribed "NE OBLIVISCARIS," meaning "Never Forget." The reverse has the extensive legend "For Service and Sacrifice to the United States of America During and After the Tragic Events of September 11, 2001." The medal is worn around the neck from a broad red, white, and blue ribbon. The conceptualization and design of the medal has generated a great deal of comment, almost none of it favorable.

The state of New York has created the "New York Defense of Liberty Medal" for those National Guard personnel (approximately 15,000) who were called to active duty in the context of the 11 September 2001 attach on the World Trade Center. The medal's design depicts the Statue of Liberty, though further details are unknown. A separate device, the "WTC Decoration", will be added to the ribbon for those national guard personnel who actually served at the World Trade Center site for at least seven days.

A number of commercial "commemorative" medals have been created by entrepreneurs desiring to profit from the situation by striking medals for sale. They are intentionally not covered here.

Australia

Australian Special Operations Forces have served in Afghanistan and there have been at least two rotations of these forces. Australia has also deployed two dedicated KB-707 refueling aircraft to Manas, Kyrgyzstan, to conduct day and night flight missions with U.S. and French aircraft. The deployment also includes a significant number of support personnel. Fighter aircraft have also been deployed to perform Combat Air Patrol missions at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean in support of Pacific Command.

Australia has announced an intent to add a bar "ICAT" (International Coalition Against Terrorism) to the Australian Active Service Medal, 1975 (obverse and reverse). The Australian Active Service Medal, 1975, was established on 2 November 1988 to recognize service rendered by members of the Australian Defense Force in "prescribed warlike operations" since 14 February 1975. The medal includes a clasp to denote the operation in which the medal was earned (in this case "ICAT"). Created by Letters Patent: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette S335 dated 2 November 1988.

On 5 April 2002, the "ICAT" bar for the Australian Active Service Medal, 1975, was announced in S104 of 5 April 2002. The medal is awarded for service in "Operation Slipper" after 11 October 2001 (an odd date that requires some clarification?). For forward area troops, one day of assigned duty and thirty days of service as a visitor are required for qualification; for rear-area service at Diego Garcia, thirty days of service are required. See http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Valetpl.cfm?CurrentId=1376 for more information.

Canada

Canada currently has 2,100 personnel in the CENTCOM AOR (1,100 land, 200 air, and 800 naval personnel). To date, 3,400 personnel have deployed.

Canada’s Light Infantry Battle Group deployed as part of Task Force Rakkasan with 828 personnel and 12 Coyote armored reconnaissance vehicles. These forces have been deployed to Kandahar for security and combat operations. Canadian special operations forces are also currently in Afghanistan. Canadian Air Force CC 150 Polaris (Airbus) and three CC130 (Hercules) aircraft have conducted strategic and tactical airlift. They have moved more than 10.4 million pounds of freight to date.

In August 2001 (?), Canada created The South-West Asia Service Medal (SWASM). This medal is intended to recognize the service of individuals who participated in operations conducted against terrorism in South-West Asia after 11 September 2001. The medal is to be awarded to individuals who were enrolled in, attached to, or worked with the Canadian Forces and who were posted to, attached to, or worked with a Canadian or allied unit or formation deployed outside Canada that was participating in, or provided direct support on a full time basis to operations conducted in South-West Asia for a period of at least 90 days after 11 September 11 2001. The medal is awarded for a minimum of 90 days service in direct support of operations against terrorism in South-West Asia commencing 11 September 2001. Direct support refers to when a member is deployed to a unit or organization outside Canada but not into a specific theatre of operations, and where his or her primary duty is to provide direct assistance on a full-time basis to the operations against terrorism in South-West Asia. Such assistance is defined as service with (1) Headquarters, Canadian Joint Task Force South-West Asia, Tampa Bay, Florida , (2) Strategic Airlift Detachment, Ramstein, Germany , (3) Strategic Lines of Communications Detachments in the United States or Europe , or (4) being posted to foreign units or organizations which are in direct support of operations as described above.

Actual combat service in theater will warrant the additional ward of a bar "Afghanistan". The medal with bar is awarded for 30 days service after 11 September 2001 in the theatre of operations. The theatre of operations means a subset of the US Central Command area of operations responsibility (USCENTCOM AOR) that includes Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, and those parts of the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea that are west of 68 degrees east longitude and north of 5 degrees south latitude, as well as the airspace above that subset.

The medal – which has not been issued yet – will be a 36-mm circular silver medal. The obverse bears the effigy of Her Majesty the Queen of Canada, wearing the King George IV State Diadem, with the inscriptions "Elizabeth II, Dei Gratia Regina", and "Canada". The reverse has a representation of Hydra, a multi-headed creature of Greek mythology, transfixed by a Canadian sword. The Latin phrase "Adversus Malum Pugnamus" (We are Fighting Evil) also appears on the reverse. The apparent intent is for this to serve as a multi-role anti-terrorist campaign medal, as silver bars will be attached to the ribbon, in this case with the wording "Afghanistan".

The ribbon will be 32 mm wide, with a white stripe in the middle (12 mm), on either side of which are stripes of black (4 mm), red (2 mm) and sand (4 mm). The black represents the shock of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 and mourning for victims; sand represents the challenges of the theater of operations; white is for peace; and red is for the blood that has been spilled in the service of peace.

It is expected that around 7,000 Canadian personnel will qualify for the medal.

Denmark

Approximately 100 special operation forces personnel have been deployed as part of a multinational unit under U.S. command. The Danish Air Force is providing one C-130 aircraft with 77 crew and support personnel. Additionally, the Danish Air Force will deploy four F-16 aircraft in an air-to-ground role with pilots and support personnel. These assets are on standby in Denmark.

So far, nothing is known regarding Danish awards for this service. It is possible that an appropriate issue of the Forsvarets Medalje (The Defence Medal) will be forthcoming.

France

There are more than 4,200 French military personnel currently operating in Afghanistan. France deployed an infantry company to Mazar-e-Sharif to provide area security until December 2001. France also provided airfield security (with dogs), a field mess unit, a deployable weather bureau and a Civil Military Operations team. The French Air Force deployed C-160 and C-130 aircraft to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, have provided humanitarian assistance as well as national and coalition airlift support. Two KC-135 aircraft have deployed to Manas, Kyrgyzstan, to provide aerial refueling. Six Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft have also deployed to Manas to provide close air support. French engineers helped construct runways, a tent city and a munitions storage facility at Manas. Two French officers are currently serving as air coordinators. Atlantique aircraft deployed in Djibouti under national control are participating daily in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

The French Defense Ministry authorized the awarding of the Médaille commémorative française (French Commemorative Medal) with bar "Afghanistan". It requires a minimum of thirty days service in Operations Héraclès and Pamir. Opération Pamir is France's participation in ISAF. Héraclès was the securing of Mazar-e Sharif airfield. The decree doesn't mention the French air operations as part of Operation Anaconda. Previously authorized bars for the medal, created in 1995, were "Ex-Yougoslavie", "Haiti", and "Albanie". (See http://www.admi.net/jo/20020801/DEFM0201932A.html.)

The obverse of the circular bronze medal shows a facing head of the Republic with the legend "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE", while the reverse shows a globe design with a sword with blade upwards and wreathed with the legend "MEDAILLE COMMEMORATIVE FRANCAISE". The ribbon is red with three equal-width blue stripes and thin green edges.

Also, the Bulletin officiel des armées (Official Bulletin of the Armed Forces) of 22 to 27 May 2002 reports a 30 April 2002 decision authorizing awards of the Croix de la Valeur militaire (Cross of Military Valor) for Afghanistan ("Décision n° 6131/DEF/CAB/SDBC/DECO/A/1 du 30 avril 2002 portant ouverture du droit à la croix de la Valeur militaire pour le théâtre de l'Afghanistan").

Germany

There are 2,800 German personnel currently operating in Afghanistan. Germany has taken the lead in the establishment and training of the Afghan police force. German special operations forces are currently in Afghanistan. A German A-310 (Airbus) aircraft is on alert in Germany for use as a medevac platform. Germany is leading and supporting the Kabul Multinational Brigade (KMNB) by providing its commander, a majority of the KMNB staff, one battalion-sized Infantry task Force, field hospital and other combat support troops. This force is supported by an air transport element operating from Uzbekistan.

So far, nothing is known regarding German awards for this service. It has just been announced a bar "E. Freedom" has been established for the Bundeswehr-Einsatzmedaille (Armed Forces Operations Medal); details are being sought.

New Zealand

An unknown number of New Zealand Special Air Service troops serve in Afghanistan

In 2001, a new New Zealand General Service Medal was announced, to replace the New Zealand General Service Medal, 1995. Following on the pattern of medals issues for UN operations and the new British Operational Service Medal, 2000, the same medal will be issued, without bar, for a range of deployments, but in each case a different ribbon will be awarded with the medal. The obverse and reverse of the medal can be illustrated (although on the ribbon for the Solomons). The ribbon for Afghan service has been announced also.

In May 2002, it was announced that the award of this new medal would be extended to New Zealand personnel in Afghanistan, including the NZSAS, an Air Loading Management Team and staff officers. Details of this deployment and their eligibility conditions are presently vague.

These recipients would, presumably, also receive the New Zealand Operational Service Medal? The Operational Service Medal was created in June 2001 and is awarded for service that has attracted the award of other New Zealand or UN medals, or at least 7 days' service that would have qualified had it lasted longer. The obverse shows the New Zealand arms and the reverse has an image of a Kiwi and the legend "FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICE". The ribbon is black with double white stripes at the edges and in the center.

Norway

Norway has provided 15 hardened vehicles that are currently supporting Norwegian special operations forces missions in Afghanistan and providing leadership transport.

So far, nothing is known regarding Norwegian awards for this service. It is possible that an appropriate issue of the Forsvarets medalje for internasjonale operasjoner (Armed Forces Medal for International Operations) will be forthcoming. This medal has definitely been awarded to mine-clearing troops (http://www.mil.no/start/article.jhtml?articleID=13935), but the status of combat troops is vague. The ribbon for this medal is blue with a gray central stripe.

Romania

In support of the operations, Romania has deployed one military police platoon, and one C-130 aircraft. Romania has delivered a large quantity of training equipment for the Afghan National Guard. Romania has donated the following items in support of the Afghan National Army:1,000 AK-47 assault rifles; 300,000 rounds of ammunition, and magazines and cleaning sets.

Romania has, around July 2002, deployed one infantry battalion (405 personnel), one nuclear, biological, chemical company (70), and staff officers (10) into Afghanistan. Additionally, one infantry mountain company, four MiG 21-Lancers, and medical personnel have been offered.

This would appear be Romania's first combat operations since WWII. A few years ago, the Order of the Star of Romania and the Military Virtue Cross were reestablished and may be expected to be awarded in the context of this service. So far, nothing is known regarding Romanian campaign awards for this service.

Spain

Spanish deployment in Operation "Enduring Freedom" is unclear.

Spain has authorized a clasp "LIBERTAD DURADERA" (translating as "Enduring Freedom") for the Distintivo de Mérito por Operaciones de Mantenimiento de la Paz (Distinction of Merit for Operations in the Maintenance of Peace).

United Kingdom

The UK deployed a 1,700 person infantry battle group to Afghanistan, built around 45-Commando, Royal Marines. These arctic and mountain warfare-trained troops operated as part of a U.S.-led brigade.

Operation Veritas was the UK's contribution to the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom, which began on 7 October 2001. Operations conducted by 45 Commando Group included Op Ptarmigan, Op Snipe, Op Condor and Op Buzzard. Task Force Jacana began returning home on 4 July 2002, with the further contingents returning on 12 and 19 July. Drawdown completed at the end of July 2002.

So far, nothing is known regarding UK awards for this service. Most likely, this will be a new issue (new ribbon) for the new Operational Service Medal, 1999, though no such announcement has been seen.

This medal has, on the obverse, the familiar crown head image of Queen Elizabeth II (the medal depicted is for Sierra Leone, but so far it is the only OSM to have been spotted). The reverse has a four-pointed compass with crowns in between; in the center there is a depiction of the Union Jack, surrounded by "FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICE".

ISAF (International Security Assistance Force):

It is with some uncertainty that I have included the medals of the International Security Assistance Force (or, as it is popularly known on Chicken Street in Kabul, the "International Shopping Assistance Force). Presently deployed only in the city of Kabul (although its services have repeatedly been requested elsewhere in the country), ISAF has provided security assistance to the provisional and transitional Afghan governments, as rebuilding is commenced. The future and scope of the deployment is under active discussion. ISAF contributor States have included:

Austria

Austria contributed to a German-led Battalion, including Dutch, Austrian and Danish troops.

So far, nothing is known regarding Austrian awards for this service, although it seems possible that the Operations Medal may be authorized.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria contributed logistical forces.

So far, nothing is known regarding Bulgarian awards for this service.

The Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is known to have contributed medical troops to ISAF.

So far, nothing is known regarding Czech awards for this service, although it seems possible that the Medaili Za službu v zahraničí (Medal for Service Abroad) may be authorized.

The Medaili Za službu v zahraničí was created in 1997 for award to soldiers participating in and civilian administrators supporting UN peacekeeping operations and international humanitarian or military missions. The obverse shows a half globe with upright sword and wreath. The reverse has the Czech arms with a wreath and, apparently, a legend below. The ribbon is medium blue with a wide white central stripe and two narrow white side stripes on each side.

Denmark

Denmark contributed to a German-led Battalion, including Dutch, Austrian and Danish troops, and also provided explosive ordnance disposal personnel.

So far, nothing is known regarding Danish awards for this service. It is possible that an appropriate issue of the Forsvarets Medalje (The Defense Medal) will be forthcoming. This medal was created 27 November 1991 for service in operations beyond the shores of Denmark and uses the same obverse (the three Danish lions) with a customized reverse for each assignment. The ribbon is red with two narrow white edge stripes

Finland

The SOAF (Suomalainen osasto Afghanistanissa = Finnish Section in Afghanistan) served as a part of CIMIC (Civil-Military Cooperation) in ISAF and was made up of 46 officers and NCOs, 2/3 of whom were reservists, selected on the basis of previous experience in similar operations. It was formed into six teams, each with four officers. Each team was responsible for an area of Kabul, where they helped with rebuilding civilian infrastructure. The main group arrived in Kabul on 11 February 2002 and remained until the end of British command of ISAF.

So far, nothing is known regarding Finnish awards for this service.

France

France has provided to ISAF infantry troops, a reconnaissance squadron, explosive ordnance disposal, and logistical forces. French medical forces (500 personnel) with ISAF are working to make major improvements to the Kabul Medical Institute with equipment, books and a new curriculum. The student body of about 2,800 includes 544 women.

The French Defense Ministry authorized the awarding of the Médaille commémorative française (French Commemorative Medal) with bar "Afghanistan". It requires a minimum of thirty days service in Operations Héraclès and Pamir. Opération Pamir is France's participation in ISAF. Héraclès was the securing of Mazar-e Sharif airfield. The decree doesn't mention the French air operations as part of Operation Anaconda.Previously authorized bars for the medal, created in 1995, were "Ex-Yougoslavie", "Haiti", and "Albanie". (See http://www.admi.net/jo/20020801/DEFM0201932A.html.)

The obverse of the circular bronze medal shows a facing head of the Republic with the legend "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE", while the reverse shows a globe design with a sword with blade upwards and wreathed with the legend "MEDAILLE COMMEMORATIVE FRANCAISE". The ribbon is red with three equal-width blue stripes and thin green edges.

Also, the Bulletin officiel des armées (Official Bulletin of the Armed Forces) of 22 to 27 May 2002 reports a 30 April 2002 decision authorizing awards of the Croix de la Valeur militaire (Cross of Military Valor) for Afghanistan ("Décision n° 6131/DEF/CAB/SDBC/DECO/A/1 du 30 avril 2002 portant ouverture du droit à la croix de la Valeur militaire pour le théâtre de l'Afghanistan").

Germany

Germany is leading and supporting the Kabul Multinational Brigade (KMNB) by providing its commander, a majority of the KMNB staff, one battalion-sized Infantry task Force (a German-led Battalion, including Dutch, Austrian and Danish troops), helicopter support, military police, explosive ordnance disposal, field hospital, and other combat support troops. This force is supported by an air transport element operating from Uzbekistan.

For this service, Germany has awarded an "ISAF" bar to the Bundeswehr-Einsatzmedaille (Armed Forces Operations Medal).

Greece

One Greek engineer company of 112 men and 64 engineering vehicles has been operating in Kabul. Two C-130 transport aircraft with a support security team of 56 personnel have deployed to Karachi, Pakistan, for tactical airlift in support of ISAF operations.

So far, nothing is known regarding Greek awards for this service, although it seems possible that the Peace Medal may be authorized.

Italy

Italy contributed infantry troops. A 43-man engineer team was dispatched to Bagram to repair the runway. A 400-man regimental task force was deployed on 15 January 2002 in order to provide ISAF area and site security in the Kabul. Italy is also providing three C130 (two operating from Abu Dhabi) and leasing one B-707, one AN-124, and one IL-76 in support of ISAF.

So far, nothing is known regarding Italian awards for this service, although it seems possible that the Peace Cross may be authorized.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands has contributed more than 220 troops to ISAF. German-led Battalion, including Dutch, Austrian and Danish troops To date, Netherlands civil military operations, in coordination with Netherlands armed forces and Afghanistan Interim Authority, have rebuilt three schools in Kabul.

The Herinneringsmedaille Vredesoperaties (Commemorative Medal for Peacekeeping Operations) has been authorized with an "ISAF" clasp. This medal was created on 23 March 2001 and is awarded for service in a UN or multinational peacekeeping operations. (It replaces and combined the earlier separate medals for UN and multinational operations.) The obverse depicts a hand holding a sword with point upward and wreathed, with a sun above and surrounded by clouds. The ribbon is white with purple edge stripes and a red, white, blue center stripe.

New Zealand

New Zealand provided logistics and humanitarian airlift support in Afghanistan with Air Force C-130 aircraft. These aircraft were made available to help move the backlog of equipment and supplies needed. A seven-person Air Loading Team (ALT) was deployed to support ISAF. New Zealand has also deployed officers to staff the ISAF headquarters.

In 2001, a new New Zealand General Service Medal was announced, to replace the New Zealand General Service Medal, 1995. Following on the pattern of medals issues for UN operations and the new British Operational Service Medal, 2000, the same medal will be issued, without bar, for a range of deployments, but in each case a different ribbon will be awarded with the medal. The obverse and reverse of the medal can be illustrated (although on the ribbon for the Solomons). The ribbon for Afghan service has been announced also.

In May 2002, it was announced that the award of this new medal would be extended to New Zealand personnel in Afghanistan, including the NZSAS, an Air Loading Management Team and staff officers. Details of this deployment and their eligibility conditions are presently vague.

These recipients would, presumably, also receive the New Zealand Operational Service Medal? The Operational Service Medal was created in June 2001 and is awarded for service that has attracted the award of other New Zealand or UN medals, or at least 7 days' service that would have qualified had it lasted longer. The obverse shows the New Zealand arms and the reverse has an image of a Kiwi and the legend "FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICE". The ribbon is black with double white stripes at the edges and in the center.

Norway

Norway has contributed explosive ordnance disposal forces and is also supporting ISAF operations in Kabul with staff personnel and a movement control team. Norwegian Air Force C-130 aircraft is providing intra-theater tactical airlift support operating from Manas airbase. On a national basis, the C-130 has conducted re-supply missions for Norwegian SOF forces and humanitarian assistance missions in Afghanistan. Norway has deployed F-16’s to Manas air force base. Additionally, In the unified effort to rebuild the Afghan Army, Norway has donated personal items and equipment for a 700-man light infantry battalion.

So far, little is known regarding Norwegian awards for this service. It is possible that an appropriate issue of the Forsvarets medalje for internasjonale operasjoner (Armed Forces Medal for International Operations) will be forthcoming. This medal has definitely been awarded to mine-clearing troops (http://www.mil.no/start/article.jhtml?articleID=13935), but the status of combat troops is vague. The ribbon for this medal is blue with a gray central stripe.

Portugal

Portugal has a medical team of eight people and a C-130 with a maintenance team of 15 people.

So far, nothing is known regarding Portuguese awards for this service.

Spain

One battalion-sized Spanish task force is operating in Kabul as part of ISAF. Spain has also provided engineer troops, explosive ordnance disposal, logistical forces, and helicopter support. Spain has deployed one P-3B to Djibouti, two C-130s to Manas, and one C-130. As of 6 June 2002, the Spanish Hospital in Bagram has helped 7,644 patients.

Spain has authorized a clasp "ISAF" for the Distintivo de Mérito por Operaciones de Mantenimiento de la Paz (Distinction of Merit for Operations in the Maintenance of Peace). Discussion is apparently underway for a wider clasp "PIW" ("Peace in the World"), though no details are available.

Sweden

A Swedish intelligence unit consisting of 45 personnel has been deployed to ISAF headquarters along with two C-130 transport aircraft in support of ISAF operations.

So far, nothing is known regarding Swedish awards for this service, although it seems possible that the International Assistance Medal may be authorized.

Turkey

Turkey has assumed leadership for the second phase of ISAF operations in Afghanistan increasing their personnel to a battalion. One infantry unit, along with one EOD team amounting to 269 personnel, is operating in Kabul as part of ISAF. Turkish personnel are directly involved in the training and equipping the Afghan National Guard.

Turkish special forces are also working with Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan.

So far, nothing is known regarding Turkish awards for this service.

The United Kingdom

The UK assumed the lead for the initial ISAF operation as the HQ 3(UK) Division under the command of Major General John McColl. An infantry battle group (1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Division), engineer troops, medical troops, logistical forces, military police, A company of Royal Marines from 40-Commando deployed to Kabul and has contributed to airfield security and mine clearing operations, including the provision of special equipment at both Bagram and Kabul international airports.

So far, nothing is known regarding British awards for this service (Operation Fingal). Most likely, this will be a new issue (new ribbon) for the new Operational Service Medal, 1999, though no such announcement has been seen.

This medal has, on the obverse, the familiar crown head image of Queen Elizabeth II (the medal depicted is for Sierra Leone, but so far it is the only OSM to have been spotted). The reverse has a four-pointed compass with crowns in between; in the center there is a depiction of the Union Jack, surrounded by "FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICE".

The United Nations

For United Nations' personnel serving in Afghanistan, the United Nations Special Services Medal (UNSSM) has been authorized. Presumably, this medal is intended to bear the clasp "UNAMA" (United Nations Assistance Mission Afghanistan), though no such bars have been spotted. As usual, clasps to UN medals are an elusive field of study, and are almost impossible to obtain, even for recipients of the medal.

The UNSSM was created in June 1995 for award for service to the UN other than on an established peacekeeping mission or at UN HQ. The medal is the generic UN peacekeeping medal, with the obverse showing the UN globe within a wreath and with "UN" above; the reverse carries the legend "IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE". The ribbon is UN blue with white edges.