Op Telic Medal
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Op Telic Medal
The eligibility for the Op TELIC medal have been announced today. The criteria look good and encompass those who were flying in and out the area but weren't based there. Seems that the lessons of the Afghanistan medal have been learned! Details can be found at the MOD website:
http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/campaign_medal.htm
http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/campaign_medal.htm
Presumably there's an image of Trust-me-Tone licking co-conspirator Bush's bottom on the reverse side of the medal?
Now that I'm out of the mil, I have to admit to being a bit confused about the reasons behind Telic:
1982 - A sovereign nation invaded the territory of another. We went to war and threw them out.
1991 - A sovereign nation invaded the territory of another. We went to war and threw them out.
Mid-to-late1990s - Various squabbling Balkan peasants invaded each others' expanses of uninhabitable goat-crap covered rock. We went to war and threw them out.
2003 - A sovereign nation invaded the territory of another. We went to war to help them invade....
Now that I'm out of the mil, I have to admit to being a bit confused about the reasons behind Telic:
1982 - A sovereign nation invaded the territory of another. We went to war and threw them out.
1991 - A sovereign nation invaded the territory of another. We went to war and threw them out.
Mid-to-late1990s - Various squabbling Balkan peasants invaded each others' expanses of uninhabitable goat-crap covered rock. We went to war and threw them out.
2003 - A sovereign nation invaded the territory of another. We went to war to help them invade....
Last edited by BEagle; 24th Feb 2004 at 17:24.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just read the DCCS Internal Comms Brief. The medal will only be awarded to pers assigned to Op Telic or discrete ops in spt of. The JOA has 2 zones - (1)In Iraq and Kuwait (2) Elsewhere in spt.
Therefore, my understanding is if in Cyprus assigned to Op Telic you get a medal. If in Cyprus as a posting you don't. SImilarly all the boys'n'girls in CENTCOM should qualify.
What isn't clear is the reason for the different zones. Methinks it might be similar to CORPORATE and GRANBY whereby if in sound of gunshots you get the rosette.
First medals to be issued in Spring 04 ! I don't think so.
Therefore, my understanding is if in Cyprus assigned to Op Telic you get a medal. If in Cyprus as a posting you don't. SImilarly all the boys'n'girls in CENTCOM should qualify.
What isn't clear is the reason for the different zones. Methinks it might be similar to CORPORATE and GRANBY whereby if in sound of gunshots you get the rosette.
First medals to be issued in Spring 04 ! I don't think so.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Cardiff ex GLA
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How many other military types have seen the light re GW2 only on retiring from the Services?
Last edited by whiz; 24th Feb 2004 at 19:11.
When one is in the mil, one must absolutely not express public doubts about ongoing operations as to do so would undermine military resolve. It would also be contrary to good order and discipline. If Commanders order you to do something, you shut up and get on with doing what you've been trained for. That's the facts, Jack!
But having retired, one is not in quite the same position. Hitler lost the Battle of Britain by switching to bombing cities after a crew jettisoned their bombs on London in error, so I've never been particularly convinced about why Harris sacrificed so many very brave aircrew, aircraft and resources in bombing German cities to the extent that he did (unless they had specific military or industrial targets). Personally I wasn't totally convinced that Mad George had a clear and legitimate reason for invading Iraq. Other than deposing that sonofab*tch Saddam, of course. But if that alone was a legitimate reason for war, why aren't we currently kicking Mugabe's sorry ar$e half way across Africa??
But having retired, one is not in quite the same position. Hitler lost the Battle of Britain by switching to bombing cities after a crew jettisoned their bombs on London in error, so I've never been particularly convinced about why Harris sacrificed so many very brave aircrew, aircraft and resources in bombing German cities to the extent that he did (unless they had specific military or industrial targets). Personally I wasn't totally convinced that Mad George had a clear and legitimate reason for invading Iraq. Other than deposing that sonofab*tch Saddam, of course. But if that alone was a legitimate reason for war, why aren't we currently kicking Mugabe's sorry ar$e half way across Africa??
TAC Int Bloke
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 975
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2003 - A sovereign nation invaded the territory of another. We went to war to help them invade....
Regards
-Nick
Like the Korean cease-fire?
Long range Mx not to exceed a certain range. Fire it without warhead and/or guidance systems to check aerodynamics and it'll exceed that range if the specific impulse of the fuel and the quantity of the fuel loaded are the same as those of an operational missile.
A fact of which the US was undoubtedly aware, but chose instead to use as another piece of dubious (dubyas) 'intel.' 'American intelligence' seems in danger of becoming a bit of an oxymoron these days.
Oh - and any sign of the WMDs yet? Actual ones, that is, not just the papers of some scientist who thought about them 10 years ago.
And in case anyone thinks I'm becoming some closet conchy, I actually support corralling Taliban and terrorist suspects in Gitmo. For as long as you like, please. If you happen to lose the jail keys, well - hey, $hit happens...
Long range Mx not to exceed a certain range. Fire it without warhead and/or guidance systems to check aerodynamics and it'll exceed that range if the specific impulse of the fuel and the quantity of the fuel loaded are the same as those of an operational missile.
A fact of which the US was undoubtedly aware, but chose instead to use as another piece of dubious (dubyas) 'intel.' 'American intelligence' seems in danger of becoming a bit of an oxymoron these days.
Oh - and any sign of the WMDs yet? Actual ones, that is, not just the papers of some scientist who thought about them 10 years ago.
And in case anyone thinks I'm becoming some closet conchy, I actually support corralling Taliban and terrorist suspects in Gitmo. For as long as you like, please. If you happen to lose the jail keys, well - hey, $hit happens...
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A lot of us saw the light in 74 then 82 then 91 then 95 but it still felt "sort of right" they didn't leave a nasty taste in the back of the throat. Even the ongoing situation across the water didn't make you gag. But!
Anybody that witnessed the turkey shoot that took place on the Basra road in 91 will realise why it had to end there. UNSCR 687 Balloc*s
Yeh, you do look at life differently when you leave. Why shouldn't you.
Anybody that witnessed the turkey shoot that took place on the Basra road in 91 will realise why it had to end there. UNSCR 687 Balloc*s
Yeh, you do look at life differently when you leave. Why shouldn't you.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back to the topic (briefly)
You can bet your mortgage that, like GW1 there will be plenty of high ranking Cyprus permies get their medal by hook or by crook.
I seem to remember Commander British Forces Cyprus doing a single trip in a Nimrod, just to get his clasp. (GW1) That famous one - Sandy something? AKA The fool on the hill.
So if the bloke in the bedding store, who was in fact working extra hard in support of Op Telic, gets a medal then good luck to him.
Me? I've done 74 (Zone 2) Albert sorties but don't qualify. But I'm sure I'll be back there soon. This one's going to run and run......
You can bet your mortgage that, like GW1 there will be plenty of high ranking Cyprus permies get their medal by hook or by crook.
I seem to remember Commander British Forces Cyprus doing a single trip in a Nimrod, just to get his clasp. (GW1) That famous one - Sandy something? AKA The fool on the hill.
So if the bloke in the bedding store, who was in fact working extra hard in support of Op Telic, gets a medal then good luck to him.
Me? I've done 74 (Zone 2) Albert sorties but don't qualify. But I'm sure I'll be back there soon. This one's going to run and run......
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Area 51
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As one of 400ish personnel sent to Cyprus on Telic I feel I must comment. I am not bothered about getting a medal personally although I won't turn it down if it's offered.
Rumour has it that in GW1 an Army Polo team sent to the island for squad training received medals! No idea if it's true but nothing surprises me.
Anyways, there is a difficult decsion to be made here with regard to eligibility. A distinction between those who went there just for Telic and did nothing else but support the op (e.g Reservist medics taking care of casualties and escorting them home), and those who were posted there anyway and did their normal duties is perhaps the easiest.
That said many of those posted did work damn hard. Take for example the armourers who had to deal with the numerous US Navy diversions. They had to offload live munitions off unfamiliar aircraft types at all hours. Are they less entitled than an admin clerk aboard the Ark Royal? Maybe, maybe not.
I will not forget however the attitude of some on Cyprus who saw Telic as an unecessary interruption to their sunshine tour, who whinged because they had to move out of their en-suite mess accomodation so that four people deployed on Telic could move into bunks instead, who took holiday safe in the knowledge that deployed personnel would be keeping their seat warm.....
I guess it was ever thus.
Rumour has it that in GW1 an Army Polo team sent to the island for squad training received medals! No idea if it's true but nothing surprises me.
Anyways, there is a difficult decsion to be made here with regard to eligibility. A distinction between those who went there just for Telic and did nothing else but support the op (e.g Reservist medics taking care of casualties and escorting them home), and those who were posted there anyway and did their normal duties is perhaps the easiest.
That said many of those posted did work damn hard. Take for example the armourers who had to deal with the numerous US Navy diversions. They had to offload live munitions off unfamiliar aircraft types at all hours. Are they less entitled than an admin clerk aboard the Ark Royal? Maybe, maybe not.
I will not forget however the attitude of some on Cyprus who saw Telic as an unecessary interruption to their sunshine tour, who whinged because they had to move out of their en-suite mess accomodation so that four people deployed on Telic could move into bunks instead, who took holiday safe in the knowledge that deployed personnel would be keeping their seat warm.....
I guess it was ever thus.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reggie
You won't get offered one, you would have to apply. Or your boss could apply for your chaps en masse.
Those armourers should qualify for '30 days in the Gulf region supporting Op Telic' - but they'll have to apply.
Army Polo team / RAF Windsurfing team / Beach Volleyball team / whatever...the rumour is true. Or was it the Hang Gliding team?
You won't get offered one, you would have to apply. Or your boss could apply for your chaps en masse.
Those armourers should qualify for '30 days in the Gulf region supporting Op Telic' - but they'll have to apply.
Army Polo team / RAF Windsurfing team / Beach Volleyball team / whatever...the rumour is true. Or was it the Hang Gliding team?
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Grobelling through the murk to the sunshine above.
Age: 60
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Beagle
Quote:
"Mid-to-late1990s - Various squabbling Balkan peasants invaded each others' expanses of uninhabitable goat-crap covered rock. We went to war and threw them out."
Despite the incredibly accurate description of the local geography, I'm not sure this is true. The last time I was in the area, most of the said peasants were still there. Of course, a lot of them now work in UK fast-food establishments, but I'm sure they'll be going back home once they've made their fortunes.
Quote:
"Mid-to-late1990s - Various squabbling Balkan peasants invaded each others' expanses of uninhabitable goat-crap covered rock. We went to war and threw them out."
Despite the incredibly accurate description of the local geography, I'm not sure this is true. The last time I was in the area, most of the said peasants were still there. Of course, a lot of them now work in UK fast-food establishments, but I'm sure they'll be going back home once they've made their fortunes.
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Area 51
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I understand that those based in Cyprus for Telic will not be getting a medal after all.
Many will agree with this but consider for example the reservist medics deployed to the island. In their aeromed role they helped repatriate in excess of 2000 casualties back to the UK by providing care at Akrotiri and escorting patients back to the UK, many of whom were in a pretty poor state. The fact that an injured soldier could be back in a UK hospital within 24 hours of being injured was, and still is, a comfort to those at the sharp end.
With some having been deployed from their civilian jobs for over 10 months to be now told that their efforts are not considered worthy of recognition stinks in my view. In these days of 'effects based warfare' the effect of this will be simple - medics will leave an already undermanned unit in their droves.
Nice one guys.
Many will agree with this but consider for example the reservist medics deployed to the island. In their aeromed role they helped repatriate in excess of 2000 casualties back to the UK by providing care at Akrotiri and escorting patients back to the UK, many of whom were in a pretty poor state. The fact that an injured soldier could be back in a UK hospital within 24 hours of being injured was, and still is, a comfort to those at the sharp end.
With some having been deployed from their civilian jobs for over 10 months to be now told that their efforts are not considered worthy of recognition stinks in my view. In these days of 'effects based warfare' the effect of this will be simple - medics will leave an already undermanned unit in their droves.
Nice one guys.
I agree and disagree, yes the medicos as usual did a stirling job but how do you tell an infantryman who lost half his face on day 6 of the war that the pretty little lady that looked after him in Cyprus gets the same medal as him, you cant. The whole medal issue thingy in our Armed Forces has got completely out of hand, give the soldiers more money I say and ram the medals, you cant buy beer with them.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: UK, sometimes!
Age: 74
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
medics will leave an already undermanned unit in their droves
At least I'd hope so!
MadMark!!!
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Area 51
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think you're missing the point.
Th emedics don't join for the medals (who does), but a pat on the back would have been nice and they understandaly feel aggrieved at the apparent lack of value on both their professional skills and dedication. After all, the military needs reservist medics more than they need the military and the less reservists there are the greater the burden on the regulars.
Th emedics don't join for the medals (who does), but a pat on the back would have been nice and they understandaly feel aggrieved at the apparent lack of value on both their professional skills and dedication. After all, the military needs reservist medics more than they need the military and the less reservists there are the greater the burden on the regulars.
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In the run up to Cyprus being freed from being a colony (1960), the UK fighter squadrons rotated through Nicosia on two-month detachments supporting operations against EOKA. The following incident happened before my time on the roster, but was told as gospel by our Eng O (we had only one in those days), who was married to a Greek Cypriot girl.
To qualify for the Cyprus Clasp on your GSM, you had to spend three months continuously in theatre. The fact that you might do two or more detachments meant your service wasn't continuous, and you didn't qualify.
The story goes of a Hastings about to get airborne with personnel who had just completed their most recent two month det having to have some unexpected maintenance, and so the baggage was piled up on the tarmac waiting for the off. In these days, the senior pax was designated the officer i/c pax, and had to sign a chit to say that he had inspected all baggage before it was loaded. Said Oi/cP had done so, and at about the time the Hastings, had it been airborne on time, would have been two hours into its flight, a suitcase exploded. Said Oi/cP was arrested and held for court marshal.
He had to wait more than a month for his CM, and was awarded the Cyprus Clasp, supposedly the only member of a UK fighter squadron to qualify.
Isn't life grand?
Wyvern
To qualify for the Cyprus Clasp on your GSM, you had to spend three months continuously in theatre. The fact that you might do two or more detachments meant your service wasn't continuous, and you didn't qualify.
The story goes of a Hastings about to get airborne with personnel who had just completed their most recent two month det having to have some unexpected maintenance, and so the baggage was piled up on the tarmac waiting for the off. In these days, the senior pax was designated the officer i/c pax, and had to sign a chit to say that he had inspected all baggage before it was loaded. Said Oi/cP had done so, and at about the time the Hastings, had it been airborne on time, would have been two hours into its flight, a suitcase exploded. Said Oi/cP was arrested and held for court marshal.
He had to wait more than a month for his CM, and was awarded the Cyprus Clasp, supposedly the only member of a UK fighter squadron to qualify.
Isn't life grand?
Wyvern