Commitments By New Zealand Forces Since 1945

Wednesday, 26 November 2003, 1:51 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Defence Force

Operational Commitments By New Zealand Forces Since 1945

Note: Service in any of the operations listed is eligible service for the New Zealand Operational Service Medal

Operation	New Zealand Contribution	Medallic Recognition
Japan 1945-49 British Commonwealth Occupation Force/J Force	HMNZ Ships Gambia and Achilles were present during the first stage of the occupation. An infantry brigade group (J Force) and No 14 Fighter Squadron were deployed as the New Zealand contribution to British Commonwealth Occupation Force.	New Zealand Service Medal 1946-49
Berlin Airlift 1948-49	RNZAF aircrews flew supply missions to Berlin during the Soviet blockade of the city.	Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Are you getting our free newsletter? Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network. Email Address * New Zealand Operational Service Medal only
Korea 1950-57 1950-53 Korean War 1954-57 Peace Support Operations	New Zealand provided RNZN ships, an artillery regiment and support elements during the conflict. Following the armistice, RNZN deployments continued, together with Army support elements until 1957.	Korea Medal (1950-53) United Nations Korean Medal (1950-54) Korean War Service Medal New Zealand General Service Medal (NZGSM) "KOREA 1954-57"
Kashmir 1952-76 United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)	New Zealand provided military observers.	UNMOGIP Medal
Middle East 1954-current United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO)	New Zealand has provided military observers. UNTSO is responsible for supervision of general armistices between Israel and Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Detachments from UNTSO have also served in other Middle East operations.	UNTSO Medal
Malaya 1948-64 1948-60 Malayan Emergency 1960-64 Border Operations	New Zealand provided a SAS squadron, infantry battalions, RNZN ships, RNZAF attack and transport squadrons. The infantry continued border operations after the official end of the emergency in 1960.	General Service Medal (1918-62) "MALAYA" or Naval General Service Medal (1916-62) with clasp "MALAYA" NZGSM "MALAYA 1960-64"
Near East 1956 Egyptian Coast	New Zealand provided RNZN ships.	NZGSM "NEAR EAST"
Middle East 1956 First United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF I) 1973 Second United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF II)	New Zealand military observers were seconded from UNTSO. New Zealand military observers were seconded from UNTSO.	UNEF I Medal UNEF II Medal
Lebanon 1958 United Nations Observation Group in Lebanon (UNOGIL)	One New Zealand military observer was seconded from UNTSO to establish the mission.	UNOGIL Medal
Congo 1960 United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC)	New Zealand military observers were seconded from UNTSO.	UNTSO Medal with clasp "CONGO"
Indonesian Confrontation 1962-66	New Zealand provided SAS squadrons, an infantry battalion, RNZN ships, RNZAF attack and transport squadrons. New Zealand military personnel served in northern Borneo, on the Malay Peninsula and in the surrounding waters.	General Service Medal (1962) with clasps "BRUNEI", "BORNEO" or "MALAY PENINSULA"
Thailand 1962-71	New Zealand provided SAS troops, RNZAF transport aircraft and military engineers.	NZGSM "THAILAND"
Yemen 1963-64 United Nations Yemen Observation Mission (UNYOM)	One New Zealand military observer was seconded from UNTSO.	UNYOM Medal
Vietnam War 1964-75	New Zealand provided an artillery battery, two infantry companies, Army engineers, a SAS troop, Army training teams, RNZAF transport squadrons, RNZAF pilots for RAAF helicopters, forward air controllers, RNZN personnel in various roles, service medical teams and civilian surgical teams. New Zealand humanitarian organisations also sent teams to assist Vietnamese civilians affected by the war.	Vietnam Medal Vietnamese Campaign Medal NZGSM with clasp "VIETNAM" (awarded to personnel, both military and civilian, who served in Vietnam between 1964 and 1975, but who did not qualify for the Vietnam Medal)
Cyprus 1964-67 United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)	New Zealand Police contingents assisted with the restoration and maintenance of law and order.	UNFICYP Medal
India and Pakistan 1965-66 United Nations India-Pakistan Observation Mission (UNIPOM)	New Zealand military observers monitored the ceasefire.	UNIPOM Medal
Golan Heights 1974, 1982 and 1986 United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)	New Zealand military observers were seconded from UNTSO.	UNDOF Medal (discontinued for observers in 1976)
Lebanon 1978-79, 1981-82 and 1986 United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)	New Zealand military observers were seconded from UNTSO. Additional New Zealand military observers have served with UNIFIL whilst attached to a RFMF battalion.	UNIFIL Medal
Rhodesia/Zimbabwe 1979-80 Commonwealth Monitoring Force (CMF)	New Zealand military observers monitored the ceasefire prior to elections and independence.	Rhodesia Medal Zimbabwe Independence Medal (able to be worn on a restricted basis only)
Indian Ocean 1982-83 Operation Armilla	HMNZ Ships Canterbury and Waikato patrolled the Gulf region in 1982 and 1983 to monitor merchant shipping and belligerent activities during the Iran-Iraq War.	NZGSM "INDIAN OCEAN"
Sinai Peninsula 1982-current Multinational Force and Observers (MFO)	New Zealand has provided a helicopter unit, training teams, engineers and drivers.	NZGSM "SINAI" MFO Medal
Afghanistan and Pakistan 1988-90 United Nations Good Offices Mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan (UNGOMAP)	New Zealand provided military observers detached from the New Zealand contribution to UNTSO.	UNTSO Medal with clasp "UNGOMAP"
Iran/Iraq 1988-91 United Nations Iran/Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG)	New Zealand provided military observers and RNZAF transport aircraft.	UNIIMOG Medal
Afghanistan and Pakistan 1989-91 United Nations Mine Clearance Training Team (UNMCTT)	New Zealand provided military engineers.	NZGSM "PESHAWAR" United Nations Special Service Medal
Namibia 1989-90 United Nations Transition Assistance Group in Namibia (UNTAG)	New Zealand provided military engineers and civilian police.	UNTAG Medal
Gulf War 1990-91	RNZAF transport aircraft and tri-service medical teams were deployed to assist the coalition forces.	NZGSM "KUWAIT" Kuwait Liberation Medal (able to be worn on a restricted basis only) General Service Medal (1962) with clasp "AIR OPERATIONS IRAQ"
Iraq 1991-99 United Nations Special Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM)	New Zealand provided medical teams, administration and communications personnel and civilian police.	NZGSM "IRAQ" 1994 United Nations Special Service Medal
Angola 1991-2000 1991-97 United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II and III) 1997-2000 United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) 1997-2000 United Nations De-Mining Programme (National Institute for the Removal of Obstacles and Explosive Ordnance (INAROE))	New Zealand provided military observers and de-mining teams. New Zealand provided military observers. New Zealand provided mine awareness training teams.	UNAVEM Medal UNAVEM Medal United Nations Special Service Medal
Cambodia 1991-current 1991-92 United Nations Advance Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC) 1992-93 United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) 1993-94 United Nations Military Liaison Team (UNMLT) 1993-current Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC)	New Zealand provided mine awareness training teams and the UNAMIC Force Engineer. New Zealand provided military engineers, communications personnel, a naval contingent and military observers. New Zealand provided military liaison officers. New Zealand has provided technical advisers.	UNAMIC Medal UNTAC Medal UNTAC Medal NZGSM "CAMBODIA" United Nations Special Service Medal
Rwanda 1994 United Nations Relief Mission	New Zealand provided RNZAF transport aircraft and support personnel.	NZGSM "RWANDA"
Somalia 1992-94 United Nations Operations in Somalia (UNOSOM I and UNOSOM II) 1992-93 Unified Task Force (UNITAF)	New Zealand provided an army supply detachment, RNZAF transport aircraft and staff officers. New Zealand provided RNZAF transport aircraft, staff officers and medical personnel.	UNOSOM Medal NZGSM "SOMALIA"
Former Yugoslavia 1992-current 1992-96 United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) 1995-99 Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP) 1995-96 Croatia - United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia (UNCRO) 1995-97 United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES) 1995-current United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP)	New Zealand provided military observers and an infantry company. New Zealand provided military observers. New Zealand provided military observers. New Zealand provided military observers. New Zealand has provided military observers.	UNPROFOR Medal UNPREDEP Medal UNCRO Medal UNTAES Medal UNMOP Medal
Haiti 1994-95 United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH)	New Zealand provided military observers.	UNMIH Medal
Mozambique 1994-current 1994-95 United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) Included the Mine Clearance Training Centre (MCTC) and Mozambique Mine Action Centre (MOZMAC) 1995-current United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs Accelerated De-Mining Programme (MADP)	New Zealand provided mine clearance trainers, staff officers and a programme commander. New Zealand has deployed mine clearance trainers.	ONUMOZ Medal or NZGSM "MOZAMBIQUE", not both NZGSM "MOZAMBIQUE" United Nations Special Service Medal
Arabian Gulf Region 1995-current 1995-96 Multinational Interception Force (MIF) 1998 Operation Griffin 1998-current Kuwait – Coalition Joint Task Force	New Zealand deployed RNZN frigates to the Arabian Gulf region. New Zealand deployed a SAS detachment to Kuwait. New Zealand has provided military observers.	NZGSM "ARABIAN GULF" NZGSM "ARABIAN GULF" NZGSM "ARABIAN GULF"
Bosnia 1996-current 1996 Implementation Force (IFOR) 1996-current Stabilisation Force (SFOR)	New Zealand provided military observers, artillery and armoured contingents. New Zealand has provided military observers, artillery and armoured contingents.	NATO Medal with clasp "FORMER YUGOSLAVIA" Up until 2 Dec 02 - NATO Medal with clasp "FORMER YUGOSLAVIA" From 3 Dec 02 – NATO Non Article 5 Medal for Operations in the Balkans
Laos 1997-2003 Programme for the Assistance to the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXOL)	New Zealand has provided mine awareness training teams and logistics personnel.	United Nations Special Service Medal
Bougainville 1997-2003 Truce Monitoring Group (TMG) and Peace Monitoring Group (PMG) 1999 Op CONCAT	New Zealand has provided military observers and civilian police. New Zealand provided military engineers.	NZGSM "BOUGAINVILLE" NZGSM "BOUGAINVILLE"
Sierra Leone 1998-current United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL) and United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL)	New Zealand has provided military observers.	UNOMSIL/UNAMSIL Medal (same ribbon for both)
East Timor 1999-current 1999 United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) 1999-2000 International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) 1999-2002 United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) 2002-current United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) 2002-current New Zealand Training Assistance Team (NZTAT) to the East Timor Defence Force	New Zealand provided military liaison officers and civilian police. New Zealand provided infantry battalions, NZSAS troops, Army engineers, RNZN ships, RNZAF helicopters and transport aircraft, the Forward Surgical Team Light, civilian police, corrections officers and customs officers. New Zealand provided infantry battalions, NZSAS troops, Army engineers, RNZN ships, RNZAF helicopters and transport aircraft, the Forward Surgical Team Light, civilian police, corrections officers and customs officers. New Zealand has provided military observers. New Zealand has provided military trainers and staff officers.	East Timor Medal UNAMET Medal East Timor Medal INTERFET Medal East Timor Medal UNTAET Medal East Timor Medal UNMISET Medal Note: Same ribbon for all three United Nations missions East Timor Medal
Kosovo 1999-current United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) 2002 NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR)	New Zealand has provided military liaison officers. Two New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed to serve with KFOR with their British host units whilst on Exercise Long Look.	UNMIK Medal Up until 2 Dec 02 - NATO Medal with clasp "KOSOVO" From 3 Dec 02 – NATO Non Article 5 Medal for Operations in the Balkans
Solomon Islands 2000-current 2000-2002 International Peace Monitoring Team in the Solomon Islands (IPMT) 2003-current Regional Assistance Mission	New Zealand has provided military personnel, civilian police and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade personnel. New Zealand has provided military personnel, civilian police and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade personnel.	NZGSM "SOLOMON ISLANDS" NZGSM "SOLOMON ISLANDS"
Afghanistan 2001-current 2001-current Operation Enduring Freedom 2002-current Headquarters Coalition Joint Task Force Afghanistan 2002-current UK-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) 2002-current United Nations Special Mission in Afghanistan (UNSMA) 2003-current New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT)	New Zealand has deployed NZSAS soldiers, RNZAF aircraft and RNZN ships. New Zealand has provided military staff officers. New Zealand has deployed RNZAF and Army personnel. New Zealand has deployed military advisors. New Zealand has deployed military personnel to assist with the restoration and reconstruction of facilities.	NZGSM "AFGHANISTAN" NZGSM "AFGHANISTAN" NZGSM "AFGHANISTAN" NZGSM "AFGHANISTAN" NZGSM "AFGHANISTAN"
Iraq 2002-current 2002-2003 United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) 2003-current United Nations Mine Action Rapid Response Plan (UNMARRP) 2003-current	New Zealand has provided communications and medical personnel. New Zealand has provided military personnel. New Zealand has deployed military engineers and support staff to provide reconstruction assistance, working alongside the British led international force.	NZGSM "IRAQ" 1994 United Nations Special Service Medal NZGSM "IRAQ" 2003 (currently being developed) NZGSM "IRAQ" 2003 (currently being developed)

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