Air Force Medal History & Eligibility Guide

The Air Force Medal (AFM) was one of the United Kingdom's most respected military aviation gallantry awards, recognising courage, exceptional flying skill and devotion to duty whilst flying on non-operational service.

Instituted in 1918 alongside the Air Force Cross (AFC), the Air Force Medal was awarded to non-commissioned members of the Royal Air Force and other qualifying Commonwealth air forces. For over seventy years, the medal recognised acts of bravery and outstanding airmanship performed outside direct combat operations.

Following a review of the British honours system in 1993, the Air Force Medal was discontinued, with the Air Force Cross becoming available to personnel of all ranks.

This guide explores the history of the Air Force Medal, eligibility requirements, award criteria, monarch issues and its place within British military aviation history.

The Air Force Medal was a British military decoration awarded for:

• Courage whilst flying
  
• Exceptional flying skill
  
• Devotion to duty in the air
  
• Outstanding airmanship
  
• Heroic actions during non-operational flying service
  

The award recognised personnel whose actions demonstrated bravery and professionalism in circumstances that did not involve active operations against an enemy.

The Air Force Medal served as the equivalent award for non-commissioned personnel, while officers were generally eligible for the Air Force Cross.

The Air Force Medal was instituted on 3 June 1918 by King George V, shortly after the formation of the Royal Air Force.

Military aviation was developing rapidly during the First World War, creating new demands for highly skilled pilots, navigators and aircrew. Many acts of courage occurred outside direct combat operations, particularly during training, testing and experimental flying.

To recognise these achievements, the British Government introduced both the:

• Air Force Cross (AFC)
  
• Air Force Medal (AFM)
  

Together, these awards formed the principal system for recognising gallantry and exceptional service in the air during non-operational flying duties.

For more than seven decades, the Air Force Medal remained one of Britain's most respected aviation decorations.