History
The Air Force Achievement Medal was authorised by the Secretary of the Air Force on 20 October 1980 to recognise outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of the Air Force, along with acts of courage below the threshold of the Air Force Commendation Medal. It is the junior members' decoration, awarded at the discretion of local commanders for the accomplishments that keep squadrons flying, and it continues today under the Department of the Air Force as the Air and Space Achievement Medal.
Australians meet it through the long tradition of RAAF exchange postings and embedded service with American squadrons and staffs. For an Australian its wear follows the foreign awards rules, with approval and a place after all Australian honours in order of the date of award.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal, designed by Captain Robert C. Bonn Jr of the United States Air Force, has a distinctive outer border of eleven cloud-like shapes around a central medallion of thunderbolts and wings adapted from the Seal of the Air Force, signifying striking power through aerospace. The reverse carries the circular inscription AIR FORCE MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT in raised letters.
The ribbon
Silver-grey with three sets of four ultramarine stripes.
The ribbon is silver-grey carrying three sets of four narrow vertical stripes of ultramarine blue.
Clasps
Further awards are marked on the ribbon in the American fashion rather than by additional medals.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded under United States Air Force authority for outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of the Air Force, or for acts of courage of a lesser degree than required for the Air Force Commendation Medal.
- It is intended for junior officers and enlisted members, awarded at the discretion of local commanders;
- Additional awards are denoted by bronze oak leaf clusters, and the combat related devices introduced across the American services in 2016 may distinguish qualifying awards;
- For Australians, acceptance and wear require approval through the foreign awards process, with the medal worn after all Australian honours in order of the date of award. There is no post-nominal in Australian usage.
Order of wear
Foreign and international awards approved for acceptance and wearing are worn after all Australian honours and awards, in order of the date of award. The precise arrangement should be confirmed against the current Australian Order of Wear.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Air Force Achievement Medal awarded for?
Outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of the United States Air Force, or acts of courage below the level of the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Who typically receives it?
Junior officers and enlisted members, at the discretion of local commanders. It is often an airman's first decoration.
How did Australians come to hold it?
Mostly through RAAF exchange postings and embedded service with American squadrons and staffs.
Is it still awarded under the same name?
The award continues under the Department of the Air Force as the Air and Space Achievement Medal, reflecting the creation of the Space Force; earlier awards keep the Air Force name.
How are multiple awards shown?
By bronze oak leaf clusters, with a silver cluster replacing five bronze.
Can an Australian wear it on a rack?
With government approval through the foreign awards process: after all Australian honours and awards, in order of the date of award.