The Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) was introduced in 1988 to recognise service in prescribed warlike operations since 14 February 1975.
The Medal
The AASM is a nickel-silver medal. The obverse has a Federation Star within a wreath of mimosa. On the reverse a laurel wreath surrounds the inscription 'FOR ACTIVE SERVICE'.
The Ribbon
The AASM ribbon colours are primarily variations of the Australian colours of green and gold with a central red stripe symbolising the dangers faced in warlike situations.
Clasps
A clasp with the name of the theatre or action for which the award is made is presented with the medal.
A further award of the AASM in another area is recognised by the issue of an additional clasp. Additional clasps are worn above previously awarded clasps, in order of date of receipt.
Balkans : 1 day/1 sortie while assigned or 30 days as a visitor -
- United Nations Peacekeeping activities in the former Yugoslavia
- 12 January 1992 to 24 January 1997
Cambodia : 1 day/1 sortie while assigned or 30 days as a visitor -
- United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC)
- 20 October 1991 to 7 October 1993
East Timor : 1 day/1 sortie while assigned or 30 days as a visitor -
- Operation Faber - United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET)
- 16 September 1999 to 23 February 2000
- Operation Warden - ADF contribution to the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET)
- 16 September 1999 to 10 April 2000
- Operation Stabilise - Australian led, UN mandated International Force in East Timor (INTERFET)
- 16 September 1999 to 23 February 2000
- Operation Tanager - United Nations Transitional Administration East Timor (UNTAET)
- 20 February 2000 to 19 May 2002
- Operation Citadel - United Nations Mission of Support in Timor (UNMSIT)
- 20 May 2002 to 17 August 2003
ICAT (International Coalition Against Terrorism) :
- Op Slipper ADF deployed to Forward Area (Middle East) - 1 day/1 sortie assigned or 30 days/30 sorties (11 Oct 01 to 17 Mar 03) as a visitor
- 11 October 2001 to (Ongoing)
- Diego Garcia - 30 days/30 sorties assigned or 30 days/30 sorties as a visitor
- 11 October 2001 to 1 August 2002
- Op Palate (Afghanistan) - 1 day assigned or 30 days as a visitor
- 18 April 2003 to 4 July 2004
- Op Palate II - 1 day assigned or 30 days as a visitor
- 27 June 2005 to (check end date )
IRAQ 2003 : 1 day/1 sortie assigned, with no provision for visitors
- Op Falconer - ADF contribution deployed overseas to the United States-led military coalition OPs to remove the threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction
- 18 March 2003 to 22 July 2003
- Op Catalyst - Defence Force participation in US led coalition in Iraq to support the Australian effort to assist with the rehabilitation of Iraq and to remove the threat posed to world security by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction capability
- 16 July 2003 to ongoing
Kuwait : 1 day/1 sortie assigned or 30 days as a visitor
- Service with the multinational deployment in the Persian Gulf
- 17 January 1991 to 28 February 1991
Namibia : 30 days assigned or 30 days as a visitor
- Service with UN mission in Namibia UNTAC
- 18 February 1989 to 10 April 1990
Rwanda : 1 day assigned and N/A as a visitor
- Op Tamar - United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda
- 25 July 1994 to 8 March 1996
Somalia : 1 day/1 sortie or 30 days as a visitor
- Battalion Group for OP SOLACE
- 10 January 1993 to 21 May 1993
- Land components of Second UN Operation
- 1 May 1993 to 28 March 1995
- Air components of Second UN Operation
- 1 May 1993 to 28 March 1995
Vietnam 1975 : 1 day assigned only
- RAAF activities with TSF Butterworth to UNICEF and RAAF activities with HQRICDET S to UNICEF
- 29 March 1975 to 28 April 1975
