With President Biden’s announcement to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan will bring to an end the longest engagement ever carried out by US forces. What started out as a war on global terrorism 20 years ago (post 9-11) and taken to the doorstep of the terrorists in Afghanistan and which subsequently led to the Iraq war and the removal of Saddam Hussein will end with the withdrawal of some 2500 personnel serving in the country along with their NATO allies and if this goes to plan will be completed by September to coincide with the 9-11 Anniversary. Joe Biden is the fourth President to be in office during this campaign and three previous Presidents at some point have either increased or decreased troop numbers dependent on the political situation in the country and Terrorist activity which would have included not only the Taliban but Al-Qaeda and ISIS in Syria and Iraq. There are now calls for President Biden to withdraw US troops from both Iraq with 2500 & Syria with 900. This past 20 years has cost a lot of lives and we should not forget the sacrifice and service given by these brave men and women. Let’s hope that sanity can prevail, and the withdrawal is peaceful allowing all those serving to return safely to their families.
Medals have been awarded for these campaigns including service medals for Afghanistan, Iraq and two for the global war on terrorism. More recently the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal was established 30 March 2016 by President Barack Obama. Awarded to members of the US forces serving in Syria & Iraq the medal is awarded retroactively from 15 June 2014 to the present. For the same action, time period, or service, personnel cannot be entitled to the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. All military personnel must have been attached to a unit based in Iraq or Syria, flew missions over those countries or serve at sea for 30 days consecutive, or 60 days non-consecutive. Immediate qualification for the award is given to those service members engaged in combat and also those who were killed or wounded.
This example of the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal has a maker’s mark S-38 for the Supply Store, Oxford, Alabama. It is a well-made medal with a good clear stamping which shows a dagger thrust into a scorpion. Although not in its official description this medal is awarded for those US personnel fighting ISIS.
Ribbon colours based on the Ishtar Gate which was the eighth gate to the inner city of Babylon with centre stripes representing Sand.
usmilawards.com 