New Zealand General Service Medals have been instituted to recognise service in Iraq and the greater Middle East since 2014.
9 July 2016
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2015) recognises service in building the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces. The medal will be awarded to NZDF personnel who deploy on this training mission.
Around 100 NZDF personnel and some 300 Australian Defence Force troops have formed a joint training mission at Camp Taji, Iraq.
“This training is focused on individual skills, weapons handling, first aid, live-fire and close quarters marksmanship, obstacle breaching techniques, counter-IED (Improvised Explosive Device) tactics, and techniques for squad through to company-level operations, map reading, and team leadership,” Mr Brownlee says.
“These New Zealand men and women have delivered great results with their training in what has proved to be a tough environment.
“It is a testament to their commitment that they have delivered very tangible improvements in skills and attitudes in the Iraqi personnel they have trained.
“All New Zealanders can be proud of their efforts.”
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Greater Middle East) recognises service of 30 days or more on general regional security operations in the greater Middle East since 7 December 2014.
This medal will be awarded to NZDF personnel who deploy on general regional security operations in the Middle East. It can also be awarded to those involved in supporting the training mission in Iraq from other locations in the Middle East.
Crews of the P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft and HMNZS Te Kaha, serving as part of the Combined Task Force 150, which successfully identified and intercepted drug smugglers trafficking almost 260 kg of heroin in 2015, are eligible to be awarded the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Greater Middle East).
Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Tim Keating, said: “These NZDF personnel are representing New Zealand well in a wide range of roles across the Middle East.
“Often working as a small part of a Coalition Headquarters or formation, they are regarded highly by our allies and the general comments I hear are that they are punching well above their weight.”
Mr Brownlee says 640 personnel will be awarded these medals in the coming months. Another 100 personnel currently deployed to Camp Taji, and the 40 personnel supporting operations from other locations in the Middle East, will receive their medals when they return to New Zealand later this year.
More information
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 was introduced to recognise service in operational theatres. This medal has been used to recognise service in Afghanistan (since 2001), on counter-terrorism missions elsewhere in the Middle East and in the Indian Ocean (2001-2014), Counter Piracy (since 2009), Iraq (2003-2014), Korea (since 2001), Solomon Islands (since 2000) and Timor Leste (2006-2012). Unique ribbon designs differentiate between operations.
The ribbons. The ribbons for both new medals have been designed by Mr Phillip O’Shea, the New Zealand Herald of Arms.
New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2015) ribbon:
The ribbon colours are (from left to right) red, white, green, yellow, green, white, red. These colours symbolise sand (yellow), the flora (green) with white symbolising peace and truth, and the traditional military colour of red.
Red, white and green also reflect the colours on national flags of the region.
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Greater Middle East) ribbon:
The ribbon colours are (from left to right) are yellow, green, white, blue, white, green, yellow. These colours symbolise the arid nature of the regions (yellow), the flora (green) with white symbolising peace and truth, and blue for the oceans and seas of the region.
Green and white also reflect the colours in many of the national flags of the region.
The Regulations. The Regulations for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2015) can be viewed as text / html at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2016/0165/latest/DLM6898701.html?src=qs (on the Parliamentary Counsel Office’s New Zealand Legislation website).
The Regulations for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Greater Middle East) can be viewed as text / html at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2016/0166/latest/DLM6898801.html?src=qs (on the Parliamentary Counsel Office’s New Zealand Legislation website).
Currently serving personnel. Eligible currently serving personnel do not need to take any action. Their medals will be issued within the next four weeks from NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals to their current New Zealand based military unit or to Devonport Naval Base for Ships which are currently on deployment.
Ex-service persons. Eligible ex-Service persons should complete our electronic contact form for enquiries about medals eligibility, issuing or replacement of medals and include the best address for a day-time courier delivery of their medal.