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NATO Medal To Be Awarded To ADF In Afghanistan
NATO Medal To Be Awarded To Australian Troops In Afghanistan
The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, today announced that Australian Defence Force personnel serving alongside their North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) counterparts in Afghanistan will be able to officially accept and wear the NATO medal.
The Commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) made a formal offer to award the medal to Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, and this offer has been accepted by the Australian Government. The NATO medal with clasp 'ISAF' is awarded for 30 days service in Afghanistan in support of ISAF.
"Australian Defence Force personnel have been working with ISAF since 28 July 2006, and they have been making a significant contribution to security and reconstruction in Afghanistan," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
"The award of this NATO medal recognises the military skill and professionalism of Australian service personnel in undertaking difficult and dangerous tasks in Afghanistan. This formal offer reinforces that ADF personnel are held in very high regard by our coalition partners.
"The medal may also be awarded posthumously and both Trooper David Pearce and Sergeant Matthew Locke will be awarded the NATO medal. Arrangements will be made to present this medal to their families at an appropriate time."
Additionally, any ADF personnel evacuated from the area of operations before reaching the qualifying period due to wounding or serious injury as a result of operations will also be eligible to receive the medal. ADF members deployed to Afghanistan on Operation Slipper are also eligible for the Australian Active Service Medal with clasp 'ICAT' and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
Further information about eligibility and the approval process under the Australian honours and awards system for wearing foreign awards will be advised at a later date.
ENDS
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