Foreign Campaign Medals Awarded to New Zealanders - The NATO Medal for the Non-Article 5 ISAF Operation in Afghanistan
About the NATO Medal for the Non-Article 5 ISAF Operation in Afghanistan
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Medal for the Non-Article 5 ISAF Operation in Afghanistan is awarded to New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel, New Zealand Police and civilian employees of the New Zealand Government for 30 days or more service with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) since 11 August 2003.
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.
The NZDF has provided personnel to serve with ISAF since 2002. The leadership of ISAF initially rotated, on an approximately six-monthly basis, between Britain, Turkey, Germany and the Netherlands. On 11 August 2003, NATO took over the strategic command and operational control of ISAF.
Only those NZDF personnel who served with ISAF while it was under NATO leadership are eligible for the NATO Medal (ISAF).
New Zealand military personnel and New Zealand Police personnel continue to serve in Afghanistan today.
New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team - TG CRIB
The NATO Medal (ISAF) is awarded to those who have served on the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (TG CRIB) in Bamian province since 25 October 2006, when TG CRIB (rotation 9) came under NATO ISAF command. Personnel on TG CRIB rotations 1 to 8 are therefore not eligible to be awarded this medal, given that they were under American, rather than NATO ISAF, command.
Further Information
Further information on the NATO ISAF Operation in Afghanistan can be viewed on the NATO Headquarters website and the NATO ISAF website.
Clasps and Bars
The clasp 'ISAF' is worn on the medal ribbon.
Order of Wear
The NATO Medal (ISAF) is worn as a campaign medal in accordance with the New Zealand Order of Wear, rather than as a foreign medal. The position of the NATO Medal (ISAF) in the Wearing of Medals in New Zealand Table can be viewed here.