https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4502537/brits-battling-isis-campaign-medal/
MEDALS FOR OP SHADERSBritish soldiers battling death cult ISIS will be honoured with campaign medal
OUR Boys and Girls battling death cult Islamic State will be honoured with a campaign medal, The Sun can reveal.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon confirmed the move during a whistle-stop tour to British troops in Iraq.
He jetted to two separate training bases – in Erbil, Kurdistan, and Taji north of capital Baghdad – to deliver the welcome news ahead of the three year anniversary of combat air sorties.
He told troops said: “What you’ve been doing here really matters back at home.
“Because of the importance of this campaign and because of the success that's been achieved so far I think it’s right that I not only come here and thank you personally but that I announced that this campaign is going to be formally recognised by the award of an Operation Shader Medal.
“And all of you here are going to be entitled to it.
“It is only right that those who’ve performed above and beyond in this fight against the evil of our time get the recognition they deserve. This medal will do just that.
“Our troops have made huge contributions to the fight against Daesh, helping end its tyranny in large parts of Iraq and Syria.
“They have conducted over 1,500 strikes against Daesh terrorist targets and helped train nearly 60,000 Iraqi Security Forces.
“The campaign is not over but for those that have served we rightly honour the critical role they have played in helping keep us safe.”
The new medal will go to all service personnel who have toiled in the air above Iraq and Syria and on the ground training troops during Operation Shader.
It is officially titled the Iraq and Syria Operational Service Medal.
Current policy on medals means troops must have put in hard yards at risk to qualify for a campaign award.
Around 3,600 personnel will receive the Op Shader medal from May 2018.
But at present Reaper drone pilots and some support staff will not qualify for the medal because they work outside the war theatre – but Sir Michael said that decision may get reviewed.
He added: “The changing character of warfare provides new challenges – not just about how we fight but also how we recognise and support those who serve.
“As fighting has evolved we have adapted, ensuring our troops have cutting edge equipment including unmanned systems operated from outside the battle space.
“Our recognition of service, the risks taken, and the long-term effects must therefore adapt too.
“That is why we need to examine how to provide medallic recognition for those making a vital contribution to Op Shader outside the battlespace, from Reaper pilots taking life and death decision to those who ensure our planes can strike Daesh targets.”
Sir Michael delivered the news to soldiers from the Mercian Regiment, Engineer Regiment, Intelligence Corps, and Medical Regiments.
So far the UK has provided over 1,400 military personnel from all three Services as part of its three year mission to wipe out the death cult.
There are now around 600 British soldiers on the ground in Iraq – while RAF crews fly relentless air sorties in the skies from RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.
Battle hardened soldiers have been training the Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga in infantry skills and expert counter IED techniques – hard won in the Helmand warzone.
Combat medical skills and engineering tactics have also been passed on.
Troops welcomed the move moments after Sir Michael announced in on Monday.
Sgt Fiona Creed, 32, a married mum-of-two, from Oxford, who serves in the Royal Army Medical Corps, said: “I think its fantastic to get some form of recognition.
“It’s nice to see our efforts are being seen and not forgotten about.”
Royal Engineer Cpl James Dickinson, 24, a married dad-of-two from Warrington, added: “We thought this was on the way – but to get it confirmed is really good.
“Being away from home for six months it’s good to get a bit of acknowledgment. It does mean something.
“The recognition makes a difference – its appreciated all through the ranks.”
MEDALS FOR OP SHADERSBritish soldiers battling death cult ISIS will be honoured with campaign medal
OUR Boys and Girls battling death cult Islamic State will be honoured with a campaign medal, The Sun can reveal.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon confirmed the move during a whistle-stop tour to British troops in Iraq.
He jetted to two separate training bases – in Erbil, Kurdistan, and Taji north of capital Baghdad – to deliver the welcome news ahead of the three year anniversary of combat air sorties.
He told troops said: “What you’ve been doing here really matters back at home.
“Because of the importance of this campaign and because of the success that's been achieved so far I think it’s right that I not only come here and thank you personally but that I announced that this campaign is going to be formally recognised by the award of an Operation Shader Medal.
“And all of you here are going to be entitled to it.
“It is only right that those who’ve performed above and beyond in this fight against the evil of our time get the recognition they deserve. This medal will do just that.
“Our troops have made huge contributions to the fight against Daesh, helping end its tyranny in large parts of Iraq and Syria.
“They have conducted over 1,500 strikes against Daesh terrorist targets and helped train nearly 60,000 Iraqi Security Forces.
“The campaign is not over but for those that have served we rightly honour the critical role they have played in helping keep us safe.”
The new medal will go to all service personnel who have toiled in the air above Iraq and Syria and on the ground training troops during Operation Shader.
It is officially titled the Iraq and Syria Operational Service Medal.
Current policy on medals means troops must have put in hard yards at risk to qualify for a campaign award.
Around 3,600 personnel will receive the Op Shader medal from May 2018.
But at present Reaper drone pilots and some support staff will not qualify for the medal because they work outside the war theatre – but Sir Michael said that decision may get reviewed.
He added: “The changing character of warfare provides new challenges – not just about how we fight but also how we recognise and support those who serve.
“As fighting has evolved we have adapted, ensuring our troops have cutting edge equipment including unmanned systems operated from outside the battle space.
“Our recognition of service, the risks taken, and the long-term effects must therefore adapt too.
“That is why we need to examine how to provide medallic recognition for those making a vital contribution to Op Shader outside the battlespace, from Reaper pilots taking life and death decision to those who ensure our planes can strike Daesh targets.”
Sir Michael delivered the news to soldiers from the Mercian Regiment, Engineer Regiment, Intelligence Corps, and Medical Regiments.
So far the UK has provided over 1,400 military personnel from all three Services as part of its three year mission to wipe out the death cult.
There are now around 600 British soldiers on the ground in Iraq – while RAF crews fly relentless air sorties in the skies from RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.
Battle hardened soldiers have been training the Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga in infantry skills and expert counter IED techniques – hard won in the Helmand warzone.
Combat medical skills and engineering tactics have also been passed on.
Troops welcomed the move moments after Sir Michael announced in on Monday.
Sgt Fiona Creed, 32, a married mum-of-two, from Oxford, who serves in the Royal Army Medical Corps, said: “I think its fantastic to get some form of recognition.
“It’s nice to see our efforts are being seen and not forgotten about.”
Royal Engineer Cpl James Dickinson, 24, a married dad-of-two from Warrington, added: “We thought this was on the way – but to get it confirmed is really good.
“Being away from home for six months it’s good to get a bit of acknowledgment. It does mean something.
“The recognition makes a difference – its appreciated all through the ranks.”