History

The Air Force Combat Readiness Medal was authorized by Secretary of the Air Force on March 9, 1964. The Medal was initially awarded in recognition of superior and meritorious service provided to the United States Air Force and was ranked senior to the Air Force Commendation Medal. In 1967, the Air Force Combat Readiness Medal was amended and issued as strictly a service award. The Medal is awarded to any member of the United States Air Force, Air National Guard, or Air Force Reserve for accomplished sustained individual combat mission readiness in an Air Force weapon system or for preparedness for direct weapon-system employment since August 1, 1960. To be eligible for the award, the recipient must have completed 24 cumulative months of sustained duty performance. Members of other services in the United States Army are not permitted to wear this award.

Additional awards of the Medal are denoted by oak leaf emblems worn on the ribbon.