New medal for Indo-Pacific service
Approximately 150 personnel of ship’s company of HMAS Stuart are among the first in the nation to receive the Australian Operational Service Medal (AOSM) – Indo-Pacific, during a ceremony at Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia.
CAPTION: Australian Operational Service Medal – Indo-Pacific on display during an award ceremony at the Navy Capability Centre – Henderson, Western Australia. Photo by Leading Seaman Rikki-Lea Phillips.
This is the Australian Defence Force’s newest medal, acknowledging the role ADF personnel have, and continue, to play in operations throughout our Indo-Pacific region.
The recognition highlights the vital contribution of ADF personnel to Australia’s national interest and their ongoing role in supporting peace, stability and security across the Indo-Pacific region.
AOSM, instituted by the Governor General in January this year, can be awarded to ADF personnel of all ranks who have completed 30 days of operational service on certain ADF operations.
Approximately 15,000 current and former ADF personnel will be recognised for their contributions and service.
Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said it was a great honour to attend the presentation of the first Australian Operational Service Medals – Indo Pacific to ADF personnel for their dedication in operations in this most vital of regions for Australia’s national security.
“This medal recognises the contribution of more 15,000 ADF personnel for their service in the Indo-Pacific region since 2005,” Mr Keogh said.
“Behind each medal is a story of service – years of deployments and moments spent away from home.
“The Australian government is committed to recognising the service of ADF personnel, and Defence’s continued engagement in the pursuit of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”
Eligibility
To qualify, Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and allied foreign Defence Force member must have been deployed or force assigned for duty as a member of a declared operation for a period of 30 continuous days or for periods that total 30 days.
A full list of operations are listed in the Australian Operational Service Medal Instruments, along with medal eligibility.
Operations include for example:
- Operation GATEWAY – ADF contribution to the preservation of regional security and stability in South East Asia
- Operation RENDER SAFE – Support to the South Pacific Island nations for the disposal of explosive remnants from World War II
- Operation AUGURY (Philippines) – ADF support to the Government of the Philippines to develop indigenous capability to counter terrorism and violent extremist organisations
- Operation ARGOS – ADF contribution to the international effort to enforce United Nations (UN) Security Council sanctions on North Korea.
Only one medal may be awarded for service on Indo-Pacific operations.
Defence anticipates medals will start being dispatched to ADF members from Quarter 3, 2025.
Eligible current serving personnel are not required to apply for this award. Lists of eligible personnel will be drawn from operational logs in PMKEYS. Awards will be processed and dispatched to a members’ unit for presentation.
Design
The medal is a cupro-nickel medal finished in antique silver. The obverse bears an old-world stylised globe signifying global operations, interlinked with a Federation Star. The globe is surrounded by the words Australian Operational Service Medal.
The reverse bears a central horizontal stylised scroll with the words Defending Australia and its national interests, overlaying a wreath of mimosa, above which sits an hour glass motif signifying the ongoing vigilance and timely response of Defence.
The ribbon has a central yellow stripe surrounded by green stripes that represent the flora and beaches of the Pacific, which are flanked by light blue and dark blue stripes that represent service on the sea and in the air.
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