Op Oracle/Veritas Medal?

[TheSeeFarShadow]

Just a quick question, how come there wasn't a medal for Op Oracle/Veritas/Enduring Freedom.

Is it because fast jet pilots run the RAF and the only fast jet aircrew in theatre were the DOB commander at one of the large aircraft bases and the MPA liason officer (!!!) ?

Not being greedy for another medal, but just wondering.




Second tunnel south nearly complete :D (Steve McQueen - eat your heart out)

[desked atco]

You mean that the guys from the early days of OEF havent got a medal yet? - i should hope this is not the case but nothing would suprise me these days. I am sure there will be some wokka replies here. Although I am only supporting OEF from a comfortable distance I was hoping for something to keep my Jubilee medal company.

[Whipping Boy's SATCO]

TSFS, you forgot to mention JACANA and FINGAL.

[Mad_Mark]

You got it in one CFAR, no fast jets = no medals .

The RAF were flying in direct support of, and often controlling, ground offensive operations as well as other anti-Al-Q related missions, with several ac types operating overhead the battlefield. But, despite this being called a WAR on terrorism, and most WARS that I remember awarded those involved a gong, good old Toady Bliar and HMG don't see our role as having been one worthy of a bit of tin on our chests :ooh:

You will have to make do with the memory of being away from your family, living in a tent surrounded by sand for several months. More than enough recognition for your efforts :ok:

MadMark!!! :mad:

[desked atco]

Amazed - This thread could run and run.....

[hog07]

Long time listener...first time caller

It does seem a bit strange that awards have been handed out for the Op (MM for Royal etc etc) and they have told us we are getting one for TELIC, but no mention of an OSM for ORACLE. The offical line seems to be that it is under review !!!!.

[JohnB]

http://www.britishmilitarymedals.co.uk/index2.htm

OPERATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL 2000-PRESENT

Description:

The obverse of this medal bears the head of Queen Elizabeth II while the reverse has a four pointed star with a crown between each arm of the star resting on a sword. In the centre is a circular disc containing the Union Flag made from a central cross and the blades of the swords. Around this disc is the inscription 'FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICE'. The suspender is the same as used for the Campaign Service Medal.

Clasps:

None authorised for this medal.

Ribbon:

Two ribbons exist for this medal to donate the campaign for which the medal is awarded the first being Sierra Leone and the second Afghanistan. The Sierra Leone ribbon is 1.25" wide with a central dark red stripe flanked by narrower dark blue, light blue and green stripes on either side. No information is currently available for the Afghanistan ribbon.

Naming:

Currently unknown but likely to be the same as found on most modern EIIR medals i.e. impressed small capital letters.

Notes:

Introduced in 1999 and effective from 1st January 2000 this medal has yet to be issued and so information available here is incomplete. However this award is intended to replace the Campaign Service Medal for minor campaigns that are not awarded their own separate medal with the exception of operations in Northern Ireland and Air Operations over Iraq which will continue to see the CSM awarded.


The site has a picture of the medal and ribbon

[Grimweasel]

Well if a NATO medal is awarded for the farce that was Macedonia then surely a conflict/skirmish such as The 'Ghan should be awarded a medal too?
People who say that medals are pointless are being somewhat narrow minded in my opinion. If that were the case then why not say that uniforms and discipline are un-important too? Its all part of being in the Military and should make people proud. If this gesture from HMG / Queen is not greatly recieved by the individual then why not just leave now and hang one's self??

[The Swinging Monkey]

Yep, absolutely right.......
No fast jets - NO medal.
I'm not that interested really, but it is a case of double standards yet again in the RAF.
I too spent several (very) long months in a tent, flying over that God-forsaken hole Afghanistan, but so what?

I also remember the nonesence about Kosovo; my crew flew about a dozen or so missions, totaling well over 150 hours but were one sortie 'short' of the required amount. A harrier mate flew the exact number of trips required, totalled less than 40 hours (lots of airborne scrubs) and hey presto, gets a medal.

Come on CAS - just 'cos we dont all fly 'wizz-bang' 'gucci' fast jets don't mean we're not doing our bit also.

Go on.... 'Giz a medal!'

Regards to all
The Swinging Monkey
'Time for a small one caruthers'

[Mad_Mark]

I also remember the nonesence about Kosovo; my crew flew about a dozen or so missions, totaling well over 150 hours but were one sortie 'short' of the required amount. A harrier mate flew the exact number of trips required, totalled less than 40 hours (lots of airborne scrubs) and hey presto, gets a medal.
I too know of people in a similar situation. Several did more than one stint of flying out there and, like you, did just short of the required number of flights but still clocked up hours into 3 figures! They also fell short of the minimum time in theatre (3 months?) that allowed several groundies to get medals, for getting no closer to the action than a beach in Italy!

I agree that people should be proud to wear their medals. Likewise, HMG should be proud of those that have served and think about the rules relating to when and how medals are awarded. Not all of us whizz about in a fast jet for a couple of hours, so minimum number of sorties flown is an inappropriate way to decide who gets a medal. How about the case where you are shot down on one of your first sorties and spend the rest of a short war as a POW? You did not fly the minimum number of flights and you are returned home just short of the required time in theatre. Would you not get a medal even though you have almost certainly had a harder time than many others?

MadMark!!! :mad:

[The Swinging Monkey]

Mad Mark,

Your last comment could not be closer to truth.....
look at the two Johns, Peters and Nicholl. Put aside how or why they ended up in a Baghdad camp, the fact is they DID NOT get a medal! John Nicholl is a very good friend of mine, and whilst he doesn't moan about it, I think that like the rest of us, he feels he should have got one!

Just on that point of Gulf War 1, I was flying with NATO E-3A's out of Konya and Antalya - didn't get a medal, reason given......
'it is politically unacceptable to admit that RAF Aircrew are flying NATO aircraft'

I say no more other than, arn't we all part of NATO? or have I missed something for the past 30 (something) odd years??

Kind regards

The Swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, send old John Nicholl a bottle of the famous stuff!'

[Rude C'man]

Its obviously been released but no paperwork yet but take a look here


http://www.messdress.com/ishop/820/shopscr353.html

[JohnB]

Its cheaper here...... http://www.citationmedals.co.uk/Operational_Service_Medal.htm

[DummyRun]

No fast jets, No medals......Rolocks!!!

Yes there were no fast jets-/some big jets, yes there are medals, oh, and also gongs,.....were you there?

Whinging monkey, Mardy Mark, et al lets fight 'em on important stuff like LSSA qualification, although if you want to 'sex up' -(disguise) your QJM......

Load Movin........

[Big Unit Specialist]

Good news for all wanting a companion for your QJM (those involved in the 'stan thing that is) the DCI detailing eligibility (no doubt causing whinges aplenty) will be published in "a few weeks" (source: PMA Sec IM1c2d Innsworth ext 7628).

So it is real then! Wonder if those working their ****s off in blighty will get it?