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Airforce Combat Action Medal

The first Air Force Combat Action Medal was awarded in June of 2007, which makes it one of the newest medals of America to be created. These Air Force medals and ribbons may be retroactively bestowed on Air Force personnel back to September 11, 2001. These Air Force ribbons and medals are awarded to airmen for their participation in combat activities, and while recommended at the local commander level, must be approved by the Commander of Air Force forces. These US military medals do not earn points under the Weighted Airmen Promotion System.

The Air Force Combat Action Medal is a copy of the insignia painted on General Billy Mitchell’s WWI aircraft, and is unusual in that it resembles many British awards with its use of a diagonally patterned ribbon. These military decorations are considered the equivalent of the Navy and Marine Corps’ Combat Action Ribbons, and the Army’s Combat Badges, and are worn below the Air Force Achievement Medal and above the Presidential Unit Citation in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all United States military medals and ribbons.

The Air Force Combat Action Medal can be worn as full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. Modern day suppliers of military insignia offer these military awards as traditional, full-size slide-on military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons. While traditionalist may still prefer to purchase the traditional slide-on full size military medals, mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons; the newer thin mini-medals, and ultra thin military ribbons commercial suppliers now provide have become extremely popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.