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Service: Air Force
Instituted: 1988
Aerial Achievement Medal Criteria: Sustained meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight
Devices: Bronze, Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Notes: Considered on par with the Air Medal, but more likely to be awarded for peacetime actions
History and Overview
Aerial Achievement Medal
The Aerial Achievement Medal was established on February 3, 1988 and has been in effect since January 1, 1990. It is awarded to U.S. Air Force personnel for sustained meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. It is not awarded for single event flights. In contrast to the normal procedure for award of all other military decorations, the individual performance which may qualify for the award can vary based on the requirements and criteria established by each Major Air Force Command. This is due to the many variations posed by each Command’s location, mission, environment, available aircraft types, local political conditions and the general world situation.
Aerial Achievement Medal
The American bald eagle is depicted on the front of the medal just below 13 stars symbolic of the original colonies and in front of two intercepting arcs symbolic of flight paths. The eagle is clutching six lightning bolts which represent the U.S. Air Force. The reverse contains the words “FOR MILITARY MERIT” surrounding a space for engraving the awardee’s name. Additional awards of the award are denoted by bronze and silver oak leaf clusters.
Be sure to visit Medals of America for a full selection of USAF Medals and Ribbons. We also carry Air Force Badges, USAF Challenge Coins and Air Force T-Shirts.
Aerial Achievement Medal,
