Unit Citations Awarded to New Zealand Military Units - The Australian Meritorious Unit Citation
About the Australian Meritorious Unit Citation
In 2002, the New Zealand Government approved the wearing of the Australian Meritorious Unit Citation by members of 3 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force.
This citation was awarded to 3 Squadron RNZAF for service as part of the Australian led International Force East Timor (INTERFET) and with successive Australian and New Zealand battalions.
The award recognises the service undertaken by 3 Squadron personnel between 20 September 1999 and 30 November 2002.
Insignia Design
The insignia of the Australian Meritorious Unit Citation is a ribbon bar sized badge, which is worn on the right breast. The badge consists of a rhodium plated sterling silver rectangular frame 32 millimetres wide and 15 millimetres deep surrounding a ribbon bar of old gold 28 millimetres wide and 10 millimetres deep with a design of flames emanating from the frames outer edge to the centre.
Personnel who were posted or attached to the unit during the period for which the citation was awarded (20 September 1999 to 30 November 2002), wear a rhodium plated sterling silver Federation Star 7 millimetres in diameter in the centre of the badge. Personnel subsequently posted to the unit wear the badge without the silver star and only while they are serving with the unit.
The insignia miniature is a two-thirds size replica of the insignia of the Citation surrounding a miniature ribbon bar 18 millimetres wide.
Award Regulations
The New Zealand Chief of Defence Force Directive concerning the award of the Australian Meritorious Unit Citation to 3 Squadron can be viewed here.
The Regulations and Determination for Australian Unit Citations (1991).
Order of Wear
The Australian Meritorious Unit Citation is not included in the Order of Wear. This is because the insignia is worn on the right breast rather than the left breast.