The NATO Medal for the Non-Article 5 ISAF Operation in Afghanistan
Overview
The NATO Medal for Non-Article 5 ISAF Operation in Afghanistan was awarded to NZDF personnel, NZ Police, and civilian employees of the New Zealand Government for service with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) between 11 August 2003 and 31 December 2014.
The ISAF mission ended on 31 December 2014 and was replaced by NATO Operation Resolute Support.
In 2005, Her Majesty The Queen gave Her approval for the unrestricted acceptance and wear of the NATO Medal ISAF by eligible New Zealand personnel.
Description
The NATO Medal for Non-Article 5 ISAF Operation in Afghanistan is bronze and circular. The obverse features the NATO star set in a wreath of olive leaves, and the reverse bears the inscription "IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE AND FREEDOM" in English and French, separated by an olive sprig. The inscription is encircled by the words 'NORTH ATLANTIC TREAT ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION DU TRAITE DE L'ATLANTIQUE NORD".
The ribbon is blue with two narrow silver stripes set within two stripes of white.
The medal is issued with the clasp "ISAF".
Numerals may be issued for return deployments of 30 days of continuous service since 1 January 2011 or 60 days of accumulated service within a two-year period since 1 January 2011.
Eligibility
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel, New Zealand Police, and civilian employees of the New Zealand Government who completed 30 days or more continuous service with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) between 11 August 2003 and 31 December 2014;
Personnel first deployed to Afghanistan between 11 August 2003 and 31 December 2010 who completed 30 days of accumulated service within a 180-day period.
Personnel first deployed to Afghanistan between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014 who completed 60 days of accumulated service within a two-year period.
Queries & requests
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Wearing this medal
The NATO Medal for the Non-Article 5 ISAF Operation in Afghanistan is worn as a campaign medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear. For all New Zealand recipients, it is worn after the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan: Primary Operational Area).
Campaign medals are worn in order of date of participation in the campaign, operation, or peacekeeping mission for which the medal was awarded. This includes United Nations, NATO mission, and European Union mission medals. As a result, different individuals may mount their medals in different orders depending on the time served in theatre.
For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:
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Checking eligibility and applying for this medal
NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals (PAM) does not approve or issue NATO medals.
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Checking if this medal was issued
Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record. NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.
Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page.