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As some 1,400 U.S. troops continue to provide security and advice to Iraqi government and Kurdish troops in Iraq, as Air Force and Navy pilots and crew members continue to fly hundreds of humanitarian missions over Iraq and Syria and continue to conduct airstrikes against ISIL in those two countries and while “thousands of troops” are supporting those operations from various locations in the Middle East, the Defense Department (DOD) announced today that service members overseas serving in support of Operation Inherent Resolve are eligible for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
The front of Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal features a shield adapted from the Great Seal of the United States. The back includes the eagle, serpent and swords from the medal’s front-side design along with the inscription “War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.” (Photo DOD)
About 8,400 service members are in the qualifying Operation Inherent Resolve area today, according to DOD.
Of course, Operation Inherent Resolve is the name given to U.S. military operations in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists, an operation name that applies retroactively to all U.S. military actions conducted against ISIL in Iraq and Syria since airstrikes against ISIL began Aug. 8 in Iraq.
In an October 15, 2014 press release, U.S. Central Command explained the selection of the name:
The name Inherent Resolve is intended to reflect the unwavering resolve and deep commitment of the U.S. and partner nations in the region and around the globe to eliminate the terrorist group ISIL and the threat they pose to Iraq, the region and the wider international community…
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It also symbolizes the willingness and dedication of coalition members to work closely with friends in the region and apply all available dimensions of national power necessary — diplomatic, informational, military and economic — to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL…
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal award is retroactive to June 15, when President Barack Obama ordered U.S. forces to the region in response to offensives by ISIL in Iraq.
According to a DOD press release:
The award provides immediate recognition to U.S. service members supporting efforts to eliminate the terrorist group ISIL and the threat it poses to Iraq, the region and the wider international community, Pentagon officials said.
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In addition to Iraq, service members deployed to the Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are eligible. Those serving in the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea east of the 25th meridian and in the Persian Gulf also can receive the award.
According to the Stars and Stripes, “Until now, there was uncertainty over what medal would be awarded to troops who participate in Operation Inherent Resolve. The operation to combat Islamic State extremists who overran broad sections of Iraq this spring and summer remained unnamed for more than two months after the United States initiated airstrikes in early August.”
As to the medal itself, on February 26, 2004, DOD announced the final approval of the Global War on Terrorism Medals to “recognize the significant contributions members of the armed forces bring to bear in combating terrorism in all forms throughout the world — for both current and future operations.”
Lead photo: A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules airman checks to make sure the containers of bundles cleared the aircraft during a resupply airdrop mission over the region of Bayji, Iraq, Oct. 10, 2014 as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. (DOD photo).
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.