Another new Aussie badge - RAAF Ground Combat Badge

[slick_mick]

Hi Guys,

Here's another new Aussie badge to collect - the RAAF Ground Combat Badge.

DIRECTIVE BY THE CHIEF OF AIR FORCE (Extract)

The Air Force Ground Combat Badge (AFGCB) recognises service by Air Force members (Permanent or Reserve) whose deployed role in a ‘warlike’ area of operations required them to operate within a combat or escalated threat environment beyond that routinely experienced within a deployed base. In exceptional circumstances, service in a nonwarlike area of operations may be recognised for the purpose of determining eligibility for the awarding of the AFGCB.

ELIGIBILITY
4. Any Air Force member, or former member, who meets, or who has previously met, all of the following criteria is eligible for the award of the AFGCB:

a. force assignment to a ‘warlike’ AO commencing with the Vietnam Conflict for a minimum period of 90 days (continuous or aggregate);
b. satisfactory performance of duties – assumed unless a member is returned to Australia early or removed from combat or combat related duties for administrative or disciplinary reasons;
c. prior awarding of, or concurrent eligibility for the:
(1) AASM;
(2) Operational Service Medal (OSM) for ‘warlike’ operations; or
(3) OSM or ASM for ‘non-warlike’ operations but only where considering
eligibility pursuant to the exceptional circumstances detailed at subparagraph
6(b);
d. was a member of the RAAF at the time of their eligible service; and
e. they routinely undertook combat or combat-related duties during the relevant deployment/s.
5. Notwithstanding the requirement to be ‘force assigned’, subject to deploying in a manner equivalent to force assignment, and subject to meeting all other criteria at paragraph 4, the AFGCB will also be awarded to Air Force members on exchange/attachment duties for service with joint or coalition/allied units.

Mick