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Pentagon expands eligibility for GWOT medal

Airmen who were not previously eligible for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal may now be able to get one.

The Defense Department recently expanded the areas of eligibility for the medal to include two new countries — Morocco and Burkina Faso — and Operation Nomad Shadow, with an initial area of eligibility of Turkey and Northern Iraq.

The eligibility date for Operation Nomad Shadow began Nov. 5, 2007, according to a Defense news release.

Airmen who qualify for both the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal during the same Operation Nomad Shadow deployment can be awarded either medal, but not both. Service members are not entitled to more than one campaign or expeditionary medal for the same period of service.

President Bush approved the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal in March 2003 for active-duty, Reserve and Guard service members who deployed abroad on or after Sept. 11, 2001, for service in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

For more information, airmen can contact their local personnel section or call the Air Force Contact Center at (800) 616-3775.