Air Force Combat Action Medal
Encyclopedia
The Air Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM) is a relatively new medal
issued by the United States Air Force
. It was first awarded on June 12, 2007 for actions from September 11, 2001 to a date to be determined and may be awarded posthumously.
) in their operational chain of command
. The application will be processed through the chain of command and eventually be approved or disapproved by the Commander of Air Force forces (COMAFFOR).Combat conditions defined:
For the purposes of this award, the combat conditions are met when:
Or
Additionally, personnel in ground operations who actively engage the enemy with direct and lethal fire may qualify even if no direct fire is taken--as long as there was risk of grave danger and other criteria are met. Central to the integrity of this combat recognition is the adherence to these combat conditions prerequisites.
The AFCAM is the highest-level Air Force individual award to not earn points under the Weighted Airman Promotion System
. It is worn directly after the Air Force Achievement Medal and before the Presidential Unit Citation.
, the medal was designed by Susan Gamble, a professional artist and Master Designer for the U.S. Mint
. Her husband, Mike Gamble, is an Air Force colonel, and she was quoted by the Washington Post as saying, "It was just a real pleasure to give this back to the Air Force that's been part of my life." She based the medal on an insignia painted on an aircraft piloted in World War I
by General Billy Mitchell, generally known as the father of the Air Force.
A laurel wreath surrounds an eagle emblem executed in a simple, linear Art Deco
style. The eagle faces right, over the right talon clutching arrows, to reflect that this is a combat medal. The left talon clutches an olive branch. The ribbon's diagonal stripe at first could not be manufactured in the United States; but military medals cannot be manufactured outside the U.S. This design problem was resolved when a mill in Bally, Pennsylvania
, Bally Ribbon Mills, bought a new loom specifically to weave the diagonal stripe. A Rhode Island
firm, Ira Green Inc. in Providence, made the metal parts.
The medal is the only award of the United States military to have a diagonally patterned ribbon, much like various British awards (such as the Distinguished Flying Cross
).
The first posthumous recipient of the medal was A1C Elizabeth Jacobson
.
Awards and decorations of the United States Air Force
Awards and decorations of the United States Air Force are military decorations which are issued by the Department of the Air Force to Air Force service members and members of other military branches serving under Air Force commands...
issued by the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. It was first awarded on June 12, 2007 for actions from September 11, 2001 to a date to be determined and may be awarded posthumously.
Criteria
For an airman to wear the AFCAM, a narrative explanation on an AF Form 3994 of the airman's involvement in combat activities must be submitted by a person with first-hand knowledge of the incident to the first O-6 (ColonelColonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
) in their operational chain of command
Chain of Command
Chain of Command may refer to:* Chain of command, in a military context, the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed* "Chain of Command" , the fifth episode of the first season of Beast Wars...
. The application will be processed through the chain of command and eventually be approved or disapproved by the Commander of Air Force forces (COMAFFOR).Combat conditions defined:
For the purposes of this award, the combat conditions are met when:
- Individual(s) deliberately go outside the defended perimeter to conduct official duties - either ground or air, and
- Come under enemy attack by lethal weapons while performing those duties, and
- Are at risk of grave danger
Or
- Individual(s) are defending the base (on the defended perimeter), and
- Come under fire and engage the enemy with direct and lethal fire, and
- Are at risk of grave danger; also meet the intent of combat conditions for the award
Additionally, personnel in ground operations who actively engage the enemy with direct and lethal fire may qualify even if no direct fire is taken--as long as there was risk of grave danger and other criteria are met. Central to the integrity of this combat recognition is the adherence to these combat conditions prerequisites.
The AFCAM is the highest-level Air Force individual award to not earn points under the Weighted Airman Promotion System
Weighted Airman Promotion System
The Weighted Airman Promotion System is a United States Air Force program that determines who will be promoted to the ranks of Staff Sergeant through Master Sergeant and provides feedback score sheets to enlisted members considered for promotion. These score sheets help the individual determine...
. It is worn directly after the Air Force Achievement Medal and before the Presidential Unit Citation.
Design
In conjunction with the Army Institute of HeraldryUnited States Army Institute of Heraldry
The United States Army Institute of Heraldry furnishes heraldic services to the Armed Forces and other United States government organizations, including the Executive Office of the President...
, the medal was designed by Susan Gamble, a professional artist and Master Designer for the U.S. Mint
United States Mint
The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint was created by Congress with the Coinage Act of 1792, and placed within the Department of State...
. Her husband, Mike Gamble, is an Air Force colonel, and she was quoted by the Washington Post as saying, "It was just a real pleasure to give this back to the Air Force that's been part of my life." She based the medal on an insignia painted on an aircraft piloted in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
by General Billy Mitchell, generally known as the father of the Air Force.
A laurel wreath surrounds an eagle emblem executed in a simple, linear Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
style. The eagle faces right, over the right talon clutching arrows, to reflect that this is a combat medal. The left talon clutches an olive branch. The ribbon's diagonal stripe at first could not be manufactured in the United States; but military medals cannot be manufactured outside the U.S. This design problem was resolved when a mill in Bally, Pennsylvania
Bally, Pennsylvania
Bally is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,062 at the 2000 census, but a 2005 census estimate put the population at 1,102 residents.-History:...
, Bally Ribbon Mills, bought a new loom specifically to weave the diagonal stripe. A Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
firm, Ira Green Inc. in Providence, made the metal parts.
The medal is the only award of the United States military to have a diagonally patterned ribbon, much like various British awards (such as the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
).
Recipients
The first recipients of the medal awarded on June 12, 2007, were:- Maj. Steven A. Raspet of Fountain Valley, California
- Capt. Allison K. Black of North Point, New York
- Senior Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-LopezRamón Colón-LópezChief Master Sergeant Ramón Colón-López is pararescueman with the U.S. Air Force, who in 2007, was the only Hispanic amongst the first six airmen to be awarded the newly created Air Force Combat Action Medal...
of Bridgeport, Connecticut - Master Sgt. Charlie Peterson of Detroit, Michigan
- Master Sgt. Byron P. Allen of Birmingham, Alabama
- Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Paxton of Abingdon, Virginia
The first posthumous recipient of the medal was A1C Elizabeth Jacobson
Elizabeth Jacobson
Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson was a member of the United States Air Force Security Forces who was killed in action in Iraq in 2005...
.
News
- Airmen to see combat medal in April, 1/26/2007, Air Force Print News
- CSAF to award first AF Combat Action Medals, 6/8/2007, Air Force Link
- Airmen receive first AF Combat Action Medals, 6/12/2007, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs
- http://www.airforcetimes.com, 3/10/2008, Air Force Times