Awards and decorations of the United States Department of the Air Force

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Awards and decorations of the United States Department of the Air Force are military decorations which are issued by the Department of the Air Force to airmen of the United States Air Force and guardians of the United States Space Force and members of other military branches serving under Air Force and Space Force commands. The Department of the Air Force first began issuing awards and decorations in 1947. At that time, airmen were eligible to receive most U.S. Army decorations. In 1962, following the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Department of the Air Force began a concentrated effort to create its own distinctive awards, separate from the Army. Airmen and guardians are also eligible to receive approved foreign awards and approved international decorations.[1]

Department of the Air Force awards

Air Force and Space Force decorations

Air Force Cross Distinguished Service Medal Airman's Medal Aerial Achievement Medal Air and Space Commendation Medal Air and Space Achievement Medal
File:US Air Force Cross medal.svg
File:Air Force Distinguished Service Medal.png
File:Airman's Medal.jpg
File:AeAMedal.gif
File:Air Force Commendation Medal.jpg
File:Achievement Medal USAF w medal.svg
File:Air Force Cross ribbon.svg
File:Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg
File:Airman's Medal ribbon.svg
File:Aerial Achievement Medal ribbon.svg
File:Air Force Commendation Medal ribbon.svg
File:Achievement Medal USAF.svg

Air Force and Space Force service medals

Combat Action Medal Combat Readiness Medal Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal Air and Space Campaign Medal Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
File:Air Force Combat Action Medal.png
File:Combat ReadyMed.gif
File:Remote Combats Medal.png
File:Air and Space Campaign Medal.PNG
File:USAF Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal obverse.jpg
File:Air Force Combat Action ribbon.svg
File:Combat Readiness Medal ribbon.svg
File:Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal ribbon.svg
File:Air and Space Campaign Medal ribbon.svg
File:Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal ribbon.svg

Air Force and Space Force Good Conduct Medals

Air Force Good Conduct Medal Space Force Good Conduct Medal Air Reserve Forces
Meritorious Service Medal
File:Air Force Good Conduct Medal black bg.jpg
File:Us-space-force-good-conduct-medal-f401long 1.jpg
File:USAFRGCM.gif
File:Air Force Good Conduct ribbon.svg
File:Space Force Good Conduct Medal Ribbon.svg
File:Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg

Air Force and Space Force unit awards

Presidential Unit Citation Gallant Unit Citation Meritorious Unit Award Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
File:AF Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.png
File:Gallant Unit Citation ribbon.svg
File:Air Force Meritorious Unit ribbon.svg
File:Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg
File:Organizational Excellence ribbon.svg

Air Force and Space Force service ribbons

Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon Outstanding Guardian of the Year Ribbon Air and Space Recognition Ribbon Air and Space Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon Air and Space Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
File:Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon.svg
File:Space Force Guardian of the Year Ribbon.svg
File:Air Force Recognition Ribbon.svg
File:AF OS Short Tour Ribbon.svg
File:U.S. Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon.svg
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon Air and Space Longevity Service Award Developmental Special Duty Ribbon
File:Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame.png
File:Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon.svg
File:Longevity Service Award USAF.svg
File:USA Air Force Special Duty Ribbon.png
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon USAF Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Air and Space Training Ribbon
File:USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon.svg
File:USAF Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon.svg
File:USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg
File:Air Force Training Ribbon.svg

Air Force and Space Force award badges

U.S. Air Force Marksmanship Competition Awards/Badges President's Hundred Award/Tab U.S. Air Force Outstanding Airman Award/Badge
File:USAF EIC Badges.png
File:US Army Presidents 100 Metal Tab.png
File:USAF 12 OAY badge.JPG

Department of the Air Force civilian decorations

Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service Air Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award Air Force Civilian Award for Valor Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award Air Force Command Civilian Award for Valor Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Award Air Force Civilian Achievement Award
AIR FORCE EXCEPTIONAL CIV SERVICE
AIR FORCE EXCEPTIONAL CIV SERVICE
File:Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award.jpg
File:AF Civilian Award for Valor.jpg
USAF Meritorious Civilian Service Award
USAF Meritorious Civilian Service Award
File:Command Civilian Award for Valor.jpg
File:Exemplary Civilian Service Award.jpg
File:AF Civilian Achievement Award.jpg
File:AfCivServe.png
File:USA - AF Outstanding Civilian Career Award.png
File:United States Air Force Civilian Award for Valor ribbon.svg
File:USA - AF Meritorious Civilian Service Award.png
File:USA - AF Command Civilian Medal for Valor.png
File:USA - AF Exemplary Civilian Service Award.png
File:USA - AF Civilian Achievement Medal.png

More information about civilian recognition can be found in DAFI 36-1004 Department of the Air Force Civilian Recognition Program (10 Dec 2023) and SPFGM 2024-36-01 United States Space Force (USSF) Civilian Recognition Program (4 Jan 2024).

  • Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service. For exceptionally meritorious service of major significance to the Air Force in the performance of duties in a manner clearly exceptional to others. This award is the highest civilian recognition granted to an individual or group within the Air Force. Similar to the military Distinguished Service Medal. A gold-colored medal bearing the Air Force coat of arms with a wreath of laurel leaves. Ribbon is dark-blue silk with three dotted golden-orange lines in the center.
  • Air Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award. For outstanding career service meriting recognition at the time of retirement. Similar to the military Legion of Merit. Bronze medal bearing the Air Force coat of arms with a wreath of laurel leaves. Ribbon is white trimmed in maroon with three maroon stripes in the center.
  • Air Force Civilian Award for Valor. For an act of heroism with voluntary risk of personal safety in the face of danger, either on or off the job. Similar to the Airman's Medal. Gold-colored medal design bearing the Air Force thunderbolt on an equilateral triangle surmounted by the Air Force eagle perched on a scroll inscribed "Valor" within an olive wreath. Ribbon is light blue with four yellow stripes, two dark blue stripes, and one red stripe in the center.
  • Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award. For outstanding service to the Air Force in the performance of duties in an exemplary manner. Similar to the military Meritorious Service Medal. Sterling silver medal and lapel emblem bearing the Air Force coat of arms with a wreath of laurel leaves. Lapel emblem with ruby indicates receipt of more than one Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
  • Air Force Command Civilian Award for Valor. For demonstrated unusual courage or competence in an emergency, either on or off duty, but beyond the call of duty that warrants special recognition but does not rise to the level of an Air Force Civilian Award for Valor. Similar to the military Meritorious Service Medal when awarded for heroism. Sterling silver medal of the same design as the Air Force Valor Award. Ribbon is light-blue silk with four yellow stripes and one red stripe in the center.
  • Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Award. For clearly outstanding service supporting a command mission for at least one year for a single act that significantly contributed to command mission. Similar to the military Commendation Medal.
  • Air Force Civilian Achievement Award: For clearly outstanding service for a single, specific act or accomplishment in support of the unit’s mission or goals. Similar to the military Achievement Medal.

Public service awards

  • Secretary of the Air Force Distinguished Public Service Award: For distinguished public service to the Air Force which translates into substantial contributions to the accomplishment of the Air Force mission. This is the highest public service award bestowed to private citizens by the Secretary of the Air Force.
  • Chief of Staff of the Air Force Award for Exceptional Public Service: For Sustained unselfish dedication, contributions, and exceptional support to the Air Force.
  • Air Force Exceptional Service Award: For exceptional service to the United States Air Force or for an act of heroism involving voluntary risk of life.
  • Air Force Scroll of Appreciation: For meritorious achievement or service that are completely voluntary and performed as a public service or patriotic in nature.
  • Air Force Commander's Award for Public Service: For service or achievements which contribute significantly to the accomplishment of the mission of an Air Force activity, command, or staff agency.

Special awards and trophies

In 2018, as part of the Air Force's initiative to reduced directive publications, the eight-page AFI 36-2805 was released, superseding 30 previous AFIs. Guidance for special awards was moved to a website at https://access.afpc.af.mil/.[2]

See also

Notes

  1. "Airmen to see combat medal in April". Archived from the original on February 17, 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
  2. AFPC launches database for special trophies, awards information, May 22, 2018
  3. Weckerlein, Staff Sgt. Julie (16 November 2006). "General, spouse receive O'Malley award". Air Force News Service. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  4. "Awards". Air Force Association. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
  5. Buzanowski, Staff Sgt. J.G. (6 June 2007). "F-16 pilot receives Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy". af.mil/News.aspx. Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 June 2014.

External links