Airmen may qualify for Kosovo Campaign Medal Published July 10, 2007 By USAFE News Service RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- On May 3, 2000, President Clinton approved the establishment of the Kosovo Campaign Medal to recognize the accomplishments of military service members participating in or in direct support of Kosovo operations within established areas of eligibility. Today, many military members may still not know about the medal or have been recognized for it. The Air Force Personnel Center is working to get the word out to Airmen that members who qualify for the Kosovo Campaign Medal should contact their local military personnel flights immediately to ensure that their records reflect their service. To be awarded the KCM, a service member must have been assigned to a military unit for 30 consecutive days, or 60 cumulative days, in support of one of the following operations: Operation Allied Force: March 24, 1999 through June 10, 1999 Operation Allied Harbor: April 4, 1999 through September 1, 1999 Operation Shining Hope: April 4, 1999 through July 10, 1999 Operation Noble Anvil: March 24, 1999 through July 20, 1999 Operation Joint Guardian: June 11, 1999 to a date to be determined The medal is also awarded for membership in one of the following task forces, provided that service was performed within the 30-60 days time requirement in the area of engagement. Task Force Hawk: April 5, 1999 through June 24, 1999 Task Force Saber: March 31, 1999 through July 8, 1999 Task Force Falcon: June 11, 1999 to a date to be determined Task Force Hunter: April 1 through November 1, 1999 Military members can also qualify for the Kosovo Campaign Medal if they meet any of the following additional criteria: -- Be engaged in actual combat, or duty that is equally as hazardous as combat duty, during the operation with armed opposition, regardless of time in the area of eligibility; -- While participating in the operation, regardless of time, is wounded or injured and requires medical evacuation from the area of eligibility; -- While participating as regularly assigned aircrew member flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in direct support of the military operations. The above operations and task forces, as well as associated peacekeeping actions not identified by a specific campaign, are grouped into two campaigns which encompass all United States military operations in Kosovo. They are known as the Kosovo Air Campaign and the Kosovo Defense Campaign. The Kosovo Air Campaign began March 24, 1999 and lasted until June 10, 1999. The Kosovo Defense Campaign began on June 11, 1999 and will last until a date to be determined. The Air Campaign refers to any flight operations that were performed in the land area and air space of Serbia (including Kosovo), Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, and Slovenia, as well as the waters and air space of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea, provided such flight operations were in direct support of Kosovo peacekeeping actions. The Kosovo Defense Campaign refers to any ground operations, in support of Kosovo peacekeeping efforts, which have taken place in Serbia (including Kosovo), Montenegro, Albania, and Macedonia. Service stars are awarded for participation in either the Air Campaign or the Defense Campaign. Two service stars may be awarded provided that two separate tours, exceeding the 30/60 day requirement, were performed in both the Defense and Air Campaigns. The Kosovo Campaign Medal is always awarded with at least one service star. In addition to the Kosovo Campaign Medal, United States military members are also authorized to receive the NATO Medal for peacekeeping services rendered in Kosovo. Airmen who have documentation showing that they qualify for the Kosovo Campaign Medal are encouraged to contact their local military personnel flight immediately for update in the military personnel data system (courtesy of USAFE News Service).