The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan: Primary Operational Area)

Overview

The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan: Primary Operational Area) was instituted in 2002 to recognise New Zealand personnel (both military and civilian) who served in Afghanistan from December 2001 to August 2021. The medal recognises service in the primary operational area of Afghanistan itself.  The NZGSM (Afghanistan: Secondary Operational Area) recognises service in other areas in the Middle East where supporting operations were based.  Different medal ribbons denote the primary and secondary areas.  

Description

The medal is silver in colour and is circular in shape. On the obverse is the Effigy of the Sovereign surrounded by the legend 'ELIZABETH II QUEEN OF NEW ZEALAND'. On the reverse, the inscription 'THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL' within a wreath of New Zealand flora (fern fronds, pohutukawa, and kowhai blossom) ensigned by a Royal Crown.  The wreath of New Zealand flora adds a distinctive New Zealand appearance to the medal. 

Two ribbons were issued for use with the NZGSM 2002 (Afghanistan). The Primary Operational Area ribbon is green with central stripes of black and red, while the Secondary Operational Area ribbon has the addition of a narrow light blue stripe on either edge. Black, red and green are the colours of the Flag of Afghanistan. Black represents the past, red for blood shed in the fight for independence, and green represents hope. The light blue edges for the secondary operational area ribbon represents service at sea and in the air in the areas surrounding Afghanistan.

There are no clasps or bars for this medal.

Eligibility

Members of the NZ Armed Forces, NZ civilians, and any other persons who the Prime Minister may determine, who served in Afghanistan from 18 December 2001 to 3 August 2021. There are two qualifying geographical areas for the award. The ‘primary' operational area is within the borders of Afghanistan itself.  The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan:  Secondary Operational Area) recognises specified service between 18 December 2001 and 6 December 2014 in:

• sea areas in the Middle East where New Zealand ships and aircraft undertook maritime interdiction patrols to intercept weapons and other contraband being transported to support international terrorist groups; and
• areas of countries near Afghanistan in which forces were based to support the operations in Afghanistan or support the maritime interdiction patrols against international terrorism.

The new Regulations approved in December 2018 allow personnel who completed the required amounts of qualifying service in both the secondary and primary operational areas to wear both the NZGSM 2002 (Afghanistan: Primary Operational Area) and the NZGSM 2002 (Afghanistan: Secondary Operational Area). Previously they were only awarded one NZGSM 20002 (Afghanistan), and wore it with the ribbon for the primary operational area.

The NZGSM 20002 (Afghanistan: Secondary Operational Area) ceased to be awarded for service on or after 6 December 2014.  The NZGSM 2002 (Greater Middle East) is the successor medal.  

For full details:

Royal Warrant for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002(external link)

2018 Regulations for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan: Primary Operational Area)(external link)

2018 Regulations for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan: Secondary Operational Area)(external link)

Previous Regulations for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan) from 2002, which were revoked in 2018.(external link)

Recipients

The NZGSM (Afghanistan: Primary Operational Area) has been awarded to over 3000 NZDF personnel, and has also been awarded to New Zealand Police personnel and to New Zealand Red Cross aid workers.