Iraq Medal

Iraq Medal

The Iraq Medal is a military campaign medal established in 2004 to recognize the service of ADF personnel who participated in the Iraq War, which took place from 2003 to 2011. The war was fought between a coalition led by the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries against the government of Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein. The Iraq Medal honors the commitment, dedication, and sacrifice of those who served in this controversial conflict and acknowledges their efforts in the pursuit of peace and stability in the region.

Eligibility

The medal was initially awarded to ADF personnel for a minimum period of 7 days service in the designated areas from March 2003. From May 2003 this was extended to 30 days.

Design

The Iraq Medal is designed as a circular, cupro-nickel medallion featuring the Australian Coat of Arms on the obverse. The reverse of the medal displays an image of a lion standing on a plinth, symbolizing power and balance, with the word "IRAQ" inscribed below.

Ribbon

The ribbon of the Iraq medal is sand-yellow, with central stripes of dark purple and red.

The Iraq Medal is a symbol of the service and sacrifice of ADF personnel who served during the Iraq War. It is a testament to their dedication and commitment in the pursuit of peace and stability in a challenging and complex conflict and serves as a reminder of their role in shaping the future of Iraq and the wider region.

Unmounted Medals

If you order your medal unmounted, the medal and ribbon will be supplied as separate components. Miniature medals will be supplied with 15cm of ribbon and full size medals will be supplied with 30cm of ribbon.

Iraq Medal Full Size Court Mounted

The court mounting of medals involves securing medals to a stiff backing board, along with the placement of a brooch fitting on the board. This ensures that the medals remain firmly in place and do not shift or move about while being worn.

It is mandatory for active members of the Australian Defence Force to have their medals court mounted, as it is considered the appropriate method of presenting military honours in a professional and respectful manner. By doing so, the medals are given proper recognition and are displayed in a neat and organized fashion.

Iraq Medal Full Size Swing Mounted

The swing mounting of medals refers to the attachment of a medal to a ribbon that is allowed to hang freely from a brooch, which in turn is affixed to a uniform or clothing. This mounting style was commonly used for medals from the Boer War up to and including World War II, although there are no fixed guidelines or regulations regarding its use.

Iraq Medal Miniature Court Mounted

Miniature Court Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.

Iraq Medal Miniature Swing Mounted

Miniature Swing Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.

Iraq Medal Ribbon Bar

A ribbon bar is a small, rectangular display of ribbons worn on military uniforms to represent various honours and awards earned by the wearer. These ribbons are arranged in a specific order and are attached to a backing, which is then attached to the uniform. Ribbon bars are a compact and convenient way for military personnel to display their achievements and are often used in situations where a full-sized medal or award would be impractical.