Operation EAGLE ASSIST began on 12 October 2001 following the North
Atlantic Council’s decision on 4 October to take measures to implement
Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. This was done following the terrorist attacks against the United States on 11 September 2001, and the mission’s aim
was to assist US Forces to control North American airspace. The mission was
deemed complete on 16 May 2002. Awarded to NAEW crews that have
served thirty days continuous or accumulated service in the air space of
United States of America and the air space of North America as tasked by
NORAD between 12 October 2001 and 16 May 2002:
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, and support aircraft including tanker, airlift, and
surveillance platforms.
NATO strictly applies their medals policy and will not consider requests
for initial issue of NATO medals that are submitted more than two years
after repatriation from mission area.
NATO Regulations state that any person who dies or is evacuated
because of injuries of medical reasons directly attributable to service is
deemed to have satisfied the time criteria.