Air Force Combat Action Medal Ribbon

Criteria: The Air Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM) is granted to airmen who directly took part in active combat, whether it was in the air or on the ground while serving their official duty. In order to receive this award the airman’s involvement must be documented and submitted by a person with first-hand knowledge of the incident to the first O-6 in their operational chain of command. This is then processed through the chain of command and then the Commander of Air Forces approves or disproves the request.

For the purposes of this award, the combat conditions are met either 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.

• 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.

In addition, airmen that serve as crew members on a C130 and who contribute support to Coalition forces or airmen serving as a convoy escort operation that takes fire could be eligible to apply for the award. This medal was first awarded on June 17th, 2007 for actions from September 11th, 2001. The AFCAM award is worn directly after the Air Force Achievement Medal and before the Air Force Presidential Unit Citation.