President awards GWOT Service Medal

Published March 4, 2005

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) -- President George W. Bush approved awarding the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal to all personnel assigned, attached or mobilized to Air Combat Command.

The medal is being awarded to all active duty, mobilized Reserve, and National Guard members assigned to ACC on or after Sept. 11, 2001, command officials said. To be eligible, members must have served in support of the commands efforts in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom or Noble Eagle for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. An end date for the eligibility period in support of these operations has not been announced.

Those who supported Airport security operations between Sept. 27, 2001, and May 31, 2002 are also eligible to receive the medal.

Command officials stated the medal is a Defense Department campaign medal, and does not prevent members from receiving other deployment decorations that they may be entitled. Personnel may also receive the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal if they meet eligibility requirements. However, the qualifying period of service used to establish the eligibility for one award cannot be used to justify eligibility for the other.

Base military personnel flights have received instructions on awarding the medal and will conduct a mass update for all assigned personnel.