Context

On 12 September 2001 NATO implemented Article 5 of the Washington Treaty following the 11 September attacks against the United States. Following US requests, NATO subsequently agreed to implement 8 specific measures to expand the options available in the campaign against terrorism. These measures included the deployment of elements of NATO’s Standing Naval Forces to the Eastern Mediterranean in order to provide a NATO presence and demonstrate resolve.The NATO Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR formally began on 26 October 2001, when the activation order was issued. However, patrolling in the Eastern Mediterranean had already started on 6 October, when the Standing Naval Force Mediterranean was dispatched to conduct maritime presence operations in support of the international campaign against terrorism.

Eligibility and Criteria

Awarded for 30 days continuous or 60 cumulative days service as part of an element of the Standing Naval Force (SNF) operating in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea and in the air space above it commencing the 26 October 2001 and terminating at date to be determined.

Aircrew will accumulate one day’s service for the first sortie flown of any day in the Area of Operation; additional sorties flown on the same day receive no further credit. This requirement exists for support as well as combat aircraft, support aircraft including tanker, airlift and surveillance platforms.

Description

The Medal is circular in form and made of bronze, and bearing:

on the obverse, the NATO star set in a wreath of olive leaves; and

on the reverse, the title "North Atlantic Treaty Organization" and the words "In the service of peace and freedom" in English and French.

The ribbon is NATO-blue ribbon with a two white stripes that are on either edge, with a gold stripe in the center of each white stripes. The white stripe represents peace and the gold strip represents an Article 5 Operation. The white represents peace and the gold signifies that the operation was ordered in accordance with Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Bars

The medal is always issued with a bar. Medals issued until 31 December 2010 had a bar inscribed "ARTICLE 5" while those issued from 1 January 2011 onwards have a bar inscribed "ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR".

Wearing

The medal shall be worn in sequence prescribed in the Canadian Orders, Decorations and Medals Directive, and in the following manner:

on the left breast, suspended from the ribbon described above, after the NATO ARTICLE FIVE medal for OP EAGLE ASSIST medal and before the NATO NON-ARTICLE FIVE medal for BALKANS OPS medal.

The bar is worn centered on the ribbon.

Postnomials

The use of a post-nominal is not authorized for this medal.

Historical Notes

The Canadian contribution to this operation consisted of the deployment of HMCS Toronto and all her crew qualify for this medal.