| Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal | |
| Presenter: | the U.S. Department of the Air Force[1] |
| Type: | Service medal |
| Eligibility: | U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force personnel |
| Awarded For: | Participating in a combat operation from a remote location in a non-deployed status on or after September 11, 2001 |
| Status: | Currently awarded |
| Established: | 22 May 2019 |
| Firstawarded: | 2019 (retroactive to September 11, 2001) |
| Higher: | Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal[2] |
| Lower: | Air and Space Campaign Medal[3] |
The Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal (RCECM) is a United States Air Force and United States Space Force campaign medal established on 22 May 2019. The medal recognizes air force personnel, "in non-deployed status who directly participated in a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) combat operation from a remote location.[4]
The RCECM will be awarded to airmen and guardians serving in remotely piloted aircraft, cyber, space and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance career fields, who create direct combat effects from remote locations and lead to strategic outcomes or the delivery of lethal force. In some circumstances, airmen and guardians from other career fields may be considered for the RCECM, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Service members may be awarded the RCECM for actions completed on or after 11 September 2001, while also serving under the following conditions:
Qualifying DoD combat operations:
| Operation | From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enduring Freedom (OEF)[5] | 11 September 2001 | 28 December 2014[6] | |
| Iraqi Freedom (OIF) | 19 March 2003 | 31 August 2010 | |
| Nomad Shadow (ONS) | 5 November 2007 | TBD | |
| New Dawn (OND) | 1 September 2010 | 31 December 2011 | |
| Inherent Resolve (OIR) | 15 June 2014 | 30 March 2016 | |
| Freedom's Sentinel (OFS) | 1 January 2015 | 31 August 2021 | |
| Odyssey Lightning (OOL) | 1 August 2016 | 19 December 2016 | |
| Operation Pacific Eagle (OPE–P) | 5 October 2017 | TBD |
Eligible personnel will be only awarded one medal upon meeting the initial criteria for the award. A separate bronze campaign star is worn on the medal suspension or ribbon to recognize each qualifying DoD combat operation in which the personnel participated for one or more days.
The medal bears a bronze color 1 ¼ inch metal disc bearing a starburst. The starburst behind the grid-lined sphere conveys power and the ability to remotely effect the battlefield, anywhere in the world. The delta followed by the contrail portrays the remotely piloted aircraft and weapons systems. The Hap Arnold symbol denotes the U.S. Air Force. The reverse bears a circular inscription, “COMBAT EFFECTS CAMPAIGN” above, and “UNITED STATES AIR FORCE” below, and a “Hap Arnold” symbol above a stacked inscription that reads “REMOTE COMBAT SUPPORT”. A pair of beveled deltas flank the circular inscription.
The ribbon is predominantly blue, with a wide light blue center stripe flanked on either side by a narrow white stripe. The colors represent the U.S. Air Force.