MOD ANNOUNCES THE AWARD OF A MEDAL - OPERATION TELIC

23 Feb 2004 11:45 AM

The qualifying criteria for a medal recognising service during Operation Telic was announced today by Adam Ingram, Minister for the Armed Forces.

The medal, known as the Iraq Medal, recognises service in and in support of, operations in Iraq from 20 January 2003. Members of Britain's Armed Forces, UK civilians, including embedded media, and certain foreign nationals assigned to the operation, are eligible for the medal.

It is anticipated that the first medals will be issued in the spring of 2004.

Members of the Armed Forces and MOD civilians who died during their service in Kuwait or Iraq will automatically qualify for the Iraq Medal.

Adam Ingram MP, Minister for the Armed Forces said:

"I am please to announce the criteria for the award of the Iraq Medal. The medal recognises the collective bravery and achievements of the military and civilian personnel who risked so much to remove Saddam Hussain's oppressive regime. I am sure that the recipients of the medal will wear it with pride."

The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Mike Walker added:

"I am delighted that the contribution of our service personnel, both Regular and Reservists, and that of our civilian colleagues, who have all given significant service in often difficult and dangerous circumstances has been marked by the award of this unique Campaign Medal."

Individuals who believe that they qualify for the medal should contact their respective medal office (see note 6).

Medals will be issued in the order that applications are received.

Notes to editors:

1. The Iraq Medal is made of cupro-nickel. The obverse bears the crowned image of Her Majesty The Queen. The design of the reverse is the symbol of the Lamussu (a sculpture dating from the Assyrian period which is symbolic of the region) above the word 'IRAQ'. The medal will be suspended on the left breast by a ribbon one-and- a-quarter-inches in width. The ribbon will consist of three central equally sized stripes of black, white and red flanked on either side by an equal sized band of sand colour.

2. The Iraq Medal has the same status as other campaign medals, the General Service Medal (GSM), 1962 and the Operational Service Medal (ASM) and will be worn alongside them, in order of the date conferred.

3. The qualifying criteria for the award of the Iraq Medal is service on, or in support of, Operation TELIC within the Joint Operational Area. The Joint Operational Area consists of two Zones (Zone One and Zone Two) to distinguish those who served in Iraq and Kuwait (Zone One) and those who served elsewhere (Zone Two) in support of the operation.

4. Personnel eligible for the award of the Iraq Medal who served between 19 March and 28 April 03, will also be eligible for a clasp '19 MAR - 28 APR 2003'. This will be worn on the ribbon of the medal. A silver rosette will be worn on the ribbon when the ribbon is worn on its own.

5. The qualifying periods of service for the Iraq Medal are:

Campaign Medal with Clasp '19 MAR - 28 APR 2003'.

Zone One (Iraq and Kuwait). 7 days continuous service during the period 19 March 03 to 28 April 03.

Aircrew based outside, but flying into Zone One. Two or more flights into Zone One during the period 19 March 03 and 28 April 03.

Campaign Medal without Clasp.

Personnel based in Zone One (Iraq) not completing 7 days service between 19 March and 28 April 03. 30 days continuous service between 20 January 03 and 24 March 03 or 30 days continuous service from 23 April 03 to a date to be notified.

Personnel based in Zone One (Kuwait) not completing 7 days service between 19 March and 28 April 03. 30 days continuous service between 20 January 03 and 24 March 03 or 30 days continuous service from 23 April 03 to 10 August 03.

Personnel in Zone Two. 30 days continuous service between 20 January 03 and 28 April 03.

Aircrew based outside Zones One and Two. 30 sorties in Zone One or Zone Two at a rate of not more than one sortie per day between the period 20 January 03 and 28 April 03.

Aircrew based outside Iraq. 10 sorties into Iraq from 28 April 03 to a date to be notified at a rate of not more than one sortie per day.

6. The Medal Office contact details are:

RN Medal Office, AFPAA Centurion, Room 3103, Centurion Building, Grange Road, Gosport. PO13 9XA.

RM Medal Office, Room 038, Centurion Building, Grange Road, Gosport. PO13 9XA.

Army Medal Office, Government Buildings, Worcester Road, Droitwich Spa, Worcester. WR9 8AU.

RAF Medal Office, Room 6, Building 248(a), HQ P&TC, RAF Innsworth, Gloucester. GL3 1EZ.

Civilian Honours Unit, Room 462, St Giles Court, London. WC2N 8LD.

7. The Defence Press Office cannot answer questions on the eligibility of specific individuals.

8. The MOD website can be found at http://www.mod.uk.

9. Images of the medal can be downloaded from the MOD website (http://www.mod.uk).