The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2015)
Overview
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2015) was instituted in 2016 to recognise service in Iraq training Iraqi Security Forces. Between 2014 and 2020, NZDF and Australian Defence Force personnel administered a joint training mission at Camp Taji, Iraq. The training focused on skills development, including weapons handling, first aid, live-fire and close-quarters marksmanship, obstacle breaching techniques, counter-IED (Improvised Explosive Device) tactics, map reading, and team leadership.
This medal is also awarded for service in Iraq between 2015 and 2023 while posted to the Combined Joint Task Force – OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE headquarters.
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.
The ribbon is yellow with narrow stripes of green, white, and red on each edge. The colours symbolise the sand (yellow), the flora (green), and truth (white). Red is included as a traditional colour for the New Zealand military. Red, white, and green also reflect the colours of the national flag of Iraq.
Eligibility
- New Zealand personnel who served for one day or more on or after 4 November 2014 in the operational area as part of a Government deployment to build the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces; or
- New Zealand personnel who completed one or more sorties on or after 4 November 2014, into the operational area as aircrew, supernumerary aircrew, or supernumerary crew while part of a Government deployment to build the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces.
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2015) is not awarded for humanitarian service.
For full details:
Royal Warrant New Zealand General Service Medal 2002(external link)
Regulations New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2015)(external link)
Recipients
This medal has been issued to over 1,300 military personnel.
Queries & requests
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Wearing this medal
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Iraq 2015) is worn as a campaign medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear. 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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Applying for this medal
NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals (PAM) issues war, operational and service medals to current and former NZDF members.
If you or someone you know may be eligible, you can apply through our application page.
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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.