Campaign stars approved for latest OIF phases - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Campaign stars approved for latest OIF phases

Bronze campaign stars recognizing the 2007-08 surge of U.S. troops into Iraq, as well as current stabilization efforts, have been authorized for wear on the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Pentagon announced Thursday.

The surge campaign phase has been established as running from Jan. 1, 2007, to Dec. 31, 2008; the second campaign star, for the phase identified as “Iraqi Sovereignty,” began Jan. 1, 2009, and will continue through a date to be determined.

Although all who have served in “direct support” in the Iraq war on or after March 13, 2003, are authorized to wear the medal, the stars recognize designated campaigns during the war.

Four previous phases had been identified, and service members who have qualified for the Iraq Campaign Medal can display a bronze campaign star on their medal for each designated campaign phase in which they took part.

The other four phases, announced previously, are: ·

• Liberation of Iraq — March 19, 2003, to May 1, 2003.

• Transition of Iraq — May 2, 2003, to June 28, 2004.

• Iraqi Governance — June 29, 2004, to Dec. 15, 2005.·

• The “National Resolution” phase — Dec. 16, 2005, to Jan. 9, 2007.

Troops should contact their respective military departments for specific implementation guidance, the Pentagon said.