The Iraq Medal

On 23 Feb 04 the Ministry of Defence announced the qualifying criteria for the Iraq Medal.

The ribbon is 1.25" wide and is sand coloured representing the desert of Iraq, with 3 central stripes of black, white and red to represent the colour of the Iraqi flag.

The Iraq Medal is made of cupro-nickel. The obverse of the medal shows the crowned image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the legend "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID. DEF:" The reverse shows an ancient Assyrian Lamussu sculpture above the word IRAQ.

There is one Clasp issued with the medal which is "19 MAR TO 28 APR 2003" which denotes the owner has having served 7 days continuous service in Zone 1(Iraq and Kuwait) during the period 19 March 2003 to 28 April 2003.

For aircrew who were stationed outside of Zone 1 to qualify for the Clasp they had to fly 2 or more sorties into Zone 1 during 19 March 2003 to 28 April 2003.

When the ribbon is worn without the medal, those entitled to the clasp wear a silver rosette in the centre of the ribbon.

Those personnel who wear the medal without Clasp have qualified by one of the following ways:

Personnel in Zone 1 (Iraq) not completing 7 days service during the period 19 March 2003 and 28 April 2003, but with 30 days continuous service between 20 January 2003 and 24 March 2003, or 30 days continuous service from 23 April 2003 to a date to be notified.

Personnel in Zone 1 (Kuwait) not completing 7 days service during the period 19 March 2003 and 28 April 2003, but with 30 days continuous service between 20 January 2003 and 24 March 2003, or 30 days continuous service from 23 April 2003 to a date to be notified.

Personnel with 30 days continuous service in Zone 2 between 20 January 2003 and 28 April 2003.

Aircrew based outside both Zones 1 and 2 but with 30 sorties flown into the zones at a rate of not more than one per day, during the period 20 January 2003 and 28 April 2003.

Aircrew based outside of Iraq but flying 10 sorties into Iraq from 28 April 2003 to a date to be notified, at a rate of not more than one per day.

The Iraq medal is issued to UK armed forces, civilian personnel working for the MOD and embedded media. Further information on Op TELIC can be found at the MOD website.

Qualifying service for the Iraq Medal counted towards the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal.