Established on November 29, 2004, by then-President George W. Bush, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal honors United States military personnel who carried out service in the country of Afghanistan or its airspace. It may also be awarded to personnel who lost their life while serving in Afghanistan. read more »
The Afghanistan Commemorative Medal is awarded to military personnel who served in the War in Afghanistan or in Operation Enduring Freedom, beginning in 2001 and extending to an undetermined date. The Afghanistan Commemorative Medal is distinct from the Afghanistan Campaign Medal as the award was instituted by legislation from Congress rather than by the Department of Defense. read more »
Created on April 24, 2002, the Air and Space Campaign honors U.S. Air Force personnel who served in designated United States military combat operations as indicated by the Air Force Chief of Staff. Qualifying service may include sortie generation, surveillance, computer network operations, and other intelligence duties. read more »
The Air Force Achievement Medal is the U.S. Air Force-specific version of the Achievement Medal. The award category was established in order to offer recognition to junior officers and other personnel who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the Meritorious Service Medal or the Commendation Medal; the Air Force version was authorized in 1980 by the Secretary of the Air Force. read more »
The Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal was created in 1988 with the intent to honor Air Force personnel who are not eligible to receive the Air Medal. read more »
The Air Force Civilian Achievement Award Medal is granted to civilians who carry out sustained, notable work of merit in the service of the United States. Awardees must exceeded standards and expectations in performing this work. read more »
The Air Force Civilian Award for Valor is granted to civilians who carry out sustained, notable work of merit in the service of the United States. Awardees must exceeded standards and expectations in performing this work. This award is presented to civilian employees of the United States Air Force who demonstrate bravery or sacrifice their own personal safety beyond expectations. read more »
The Air Force Combat Action Medal was established on March 15, 2007 to recognize members of the United States Air Force for active participation in air or ground combat. In order to be eligible, personnel must have experienced direct enemy fire in an unsecured location or directly engaged enemy forces with fire. The Air Force Combat Action Medal may be granted to foreign soldiers or members of other US military branches carrying out service in an Air Force unit. read more »
The Air Force Command Civilian Award for Valor is granted to civilian individuals who carry out meritorious service on behalf of the United States government. This award may be presented to civilian Air Force personnel for distinguishing themselves by providing aid in a noteworthy manner during an emergency situation. read more »
An award used to acknowledge those who, while not employed by the United States Air Force, have substantially contributed to a mission. read more »
Established on March 28, 1958, the Air Force Commendation Medal honors United States Armed Forces personnel who distinguish themselves through notable service to the Air Force. Eligible acts are generally of a lesser degree than those that would qualify for the Airman’s Medal. read more »
The United States Congress established the Air Force Cross in 1964; it is the second highest military honor that United States Air Force personnel may receive and is granted for exceptional feats of heroism in combat that do not qualify for the higher-ranking Medal of Honor. The Air Force Cross is equivalent in rank and criteria to the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Coast Guard Cross. read more »
The highest honor granted by the Air Force to civilians, the Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian services recognizes those who perform in a sustained meritorious capacity on behalf of the United States Air Force. read more »
The United States Congress established the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal on July 6, 1960 to recognize U.S. Air Force personnel who perform service of an exceptional nature on behalf of the government in the execution of a significant operation. It is typically reserved for senior Air Force officers. read more »
The Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Award is the civilian equivalent of the Air Force Commendation Medal. It honors civilians who distinguish themselves through notable service to the Air Force. read more »
The Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon honors members of the United States Air Force who carry out standard contingency deployments for a term of either 45 days consecutively or 90 days non-consecutively. read more »
The Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon honors members of the United States Air Force who carry out standard contingency deployments for a term of either 45 days consecutively or 90 days non-consecutively. read more »
Created in 1963, the Air Force version of the Good Conduct Medal may be presented to any active member of the United States Air Force who demonstrates three uninterrupted years of honorable behavior in service. Infractions or any disciplinary action cause the three-year clock to start over. In wartime, one year of such behavior may be sufficient for the award. There is a Good Conduct Medal for the Navy (established in 1869), the Marine Corps (1896), the Coast Guard (1923), the Army (1941), and the Air Force (1963). read more »
Established on November 25, 1957, the Air Force Longevity Service award is presented to all United States Air Force personnel who carry out four years of honorable service. Service at a United States Service Academy may count toward the four-year requirement. read more »