Medal for Defence Operations Abroad

The Medal for Defence Operations Abroad (Norwegian: Forsvarets operasjonsmedalje) is a military medal of Norway. Established 1 April 2005, the medal currently recognises 30 days of service abroad in a designated operational area with the Norwegian Armed Forces. Participation as part of an international military staff is also creditable, so long as the service is in the area of operations.

Medal for Defence Operations Abroad Forsvarets operasjonsmedalje
Obverse of the medal for Bosnia-Herzegovina
Type	Participant medal (Deltagermedaljer)
Awarded for	30 days service in an approved military operation abroad Prior to 1 April 2011, 90 days service.
Country	Norway
Presented by	the Chief of Defence
Eligibility	Military personnel
Status	Currently awarded
Established	1 April 2005
Precedence
Next (higher)	Medal for Defence Service Abroad[1]
Next (lower)	National Service Medal[1]

Criteria

Upon its establishment on 1 April 2005, the Medal for Defence Operations Abroad was awarded for 90 days service in an overseas military operation as designated by the Chief of Defence. After 1 April 2011, personnel are eligible for award of the medal after 30 days of service, instead of the previous 90 days. This change in length of required service had no retroactive effect on eligibility for the Medal for Defence Operations Abroad.^[2]

Personnel typically serve with a Norwegian Armed Forces unit to be eligible for this medal. Norwegian personnel who serve on a multinational staff, as part of the operation, are also eligible as long as the service was performed in the area of operations. Personnel who are wounded without completing the specified length of service may be awarded the medal. Foreign personnel who serve with Norwegian units are also eligible for award of the Medal for Defence Operations Abroad.^[2]

Appearance

The Medal for Defence Operations Abroad is round made of a bronze colored metal with a matte finish. The obverse of the medal bears the Coat of Arms of Norway superimposed over a sword. On either side of the sword's hilt are the words SEMPER PARATUS (Always prepared). The reverse depicts an 8-point compass rose. This design is used for all versions of the medal, with the suspension and service ribbons varying for service in different countries and operations.^[2] Roman numerals are attached to the ribbon to indicate multiple awards of the same medal.^[3]

Ribbons

The ribbons of the medal are typically representative of the country where service was performed. The edges of each ribbon are the same, with the colors taken from the Flag of Norway. The colors in the center often come from the colors in the flags of the countries where operations took place.^[3] When more than one medal representing service in multiple areas is worn, the medals and ribbons are worn by date of Norway's military involvement in the operation.^[2][4]

	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Bosnia-Herzegovina
	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Kosovo-Serbia-Montenegro
	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Afghanistan
	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Operation Active Endeavour
	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Iraq
	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Operation Baltic Accession
	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Sudan
	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Lebanon
	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Chad
	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Somalia
	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Libya
	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Syria
	Medal for Defence Operations Abroad - Mali
	Medal for Defence Operation Abroad - Operation Sea Guardian/Mediterranean Sea