The Ministry of Defence announced on 23 February 2004 the qualifying criteria for the campaign medal recognising service during Operation Telic. The Iraq Medal marks service in, and in support of, operations in Iraq from 20 January 2003, and can be awarded to UK Armed Forces and civilian personnel, including embedded media, and certain foreign nationals assigned to the operation.

Service personnel and MOD civilians who died during their service in Kuwait or Iraq automatically qualify for posthumous award of the medal. Personnel who served on the operation between 19 March and 28 April 2003 may also qualify for a clasp, inscribed "19 MAR - 28 APR 2003" to be worn on the medal ribbon. The area of operations has been divided into Zone One (Iraq and Kuwait) and Zone Two (elsewhere in the Gulf region in support of the operation) for determining eligibility.

The qualifying periods of service are:

Campaign Medal with Clasp "19 MAR - 28 APR 2003":

• Zone One (Iraq and Kuwait)- 7 days continuous service during period 19 March 2003 to 28 April 2003
• Aircrew based outside but flying two or more sorties into Zone One during period 19 March 2003 to 28 April 2003

Campaign Medal without Clasp:

• Personnel in Zone One (Iraq) not completing 7 days service during period 19 March 2003 to 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 One (Kuwait) not completing 7 days service during period 19 March 2003 to 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 10 August 2003.
• Personnel with 30 days continuous service in Zone Two between 20 January 2003 and 28 April 2003.
• Aircrew based outside both Zones One and Two but with 30 sorties flown into the Zones at a rate of not more than one per day, during the period 20 January 2003 to 28 April 2003.
• Aircrew based outside of Iraq but flying 10 sorties into Iraq from 28 April 2003 to a date to be notifed, at a rate of not more than one per day.

The medal is made of cupro-nickel and bears on the obverse the crowned image of Her Majesty The Queen. The reverse shows an ancient Assyrian Lamussu sculpture above the word Iraq. The one-and-a-quarter inch wide ribbon is a sand colour with three central stripes of black, white and red. The first medals are expected to be available for issue in the spring of 2004.

Medal Office contact details are:

Individuals who believe they qualify for the medal should contact the appropriate office above.

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