Combat Action Medal
The Combat Action Medal (CAM) is a decoration of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force to recognize airmen and guardians for active participation in ground or air combat.
| Combat Action Medal | |
|---|---|
Combat Action Medal | |
| Type | Medal (Service/Achievement) |
| Awarded for | Active participation in ground or air combat |
| Presented by | United States Department of the Air Force |
| Eligibility | Airmen and guardians in the grades of E-1 through O-6 |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 15 March 2007 |
| First awarded | 12 June 2007 (retroactive to 11 September 2001) |
CAM service ribbon | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Service achievement medals |
| Equivalent | Naval Service: Navy Combat Action Ribbon Coast Guard: Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon |
| Next (lower) | Presidential Unit Citation |
| Related | Combat Infantryman Badge (U.S. Army Infantry and Special Forces equivalent) Combat Medical Badge(U.S. Army Medical Department equivalent) Combat Action Badge (U.S. Army other branch equivalent) |
The CAM was first awarded on June 12, 2007 as the Air Force Combat Action Medal, to six airmen who were engaged in air or ground combat off base in a combat zone during Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan, October 7, 2001 – December 28, 2015) or Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq, March 19, 2003 – September 1, 2010). The medal is retroactive from September 11, 2001 forward to a date to be determined and may be awarded posthumously.
On 16 November 2020, the Air Force Combat Action Medal was renamed to the Combat Action Medal by the Secretary of the Air Force.