Context

Following the US-led campaign in Iraq to topple the regime of dictator Saddam Hussein, NATO undertook the task to help train the new Iraqi Armed Forces through its NATO Training Implementation Mission (NTIM-I) and NATO Training Mission (NTM-I) in Iraq.

Eligibility and Criteria

Awarded for 30 days continuous or 60 days cumulative service under NATO command or control in Iraq or in any neighbouring country of Iraq that hosts elements of the force and provide direct support to NTIM-I and NTM-I, starting 18 August 2004 and ending at 31 December 2011.

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.

A 12mm bronze ring, which holds the ribbon, passes through a small hollow ball at the top of a claw joined to the top of the medal.

The ribbon is NATO-blue ribbon with two white stripes centered on the two outer thirds of the ribbon, with a silver stripe in the center of each white stripe. The white represents peace and the silver signifies that the operation was ordered in accordance with another article that the Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Bars

The medal is always issued with a bar inscribed "NTM-IRAQ".

Wearing

The medal shall be worn on the left breast, suspended from the ribbon described above, after the Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for Operations in the Balkans and before the Non-Article 5 Medal for NATO Logistical Support to the African Union Mission in Sudan (NATO-AMIS) in the sequence prescribed by the Canadian Orders, Decorations and Medals Directive.

 The bar is worn centered on the ribbon.

Postnomials

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

Historical Notes

The medal is accompanied by a certificate.