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Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon

 The Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon (AFOR-S) is awarded to recognize completion of an overseas tour. Before 6 January 1986, the ribbon was awarded to Air Force active duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard members credited with completion of an overseas tour on or after 1 September 1980. Air Force active duty, ANG and Air Force Reserve members serving as of 6 January 1986, or later are entitled to reflect all Air Force overseas tours credited during their career.

 For personnel who extended their original overseas tour and have entered into a DEROS extension or into an IPCOT, award the respective ribbon when the members enters the extension or IPCOT; however, only one award for the entire period overseas is authorized unless the extension or IPCOT results in the member being credited with another overseas tour.

 No more than one long and one short tour ribbon will be awarded to any one person. The short tour ribbon takes priority over the long tour ribbon when both are worn.

 Authorized Devices: An Oak Leaf Cluster will be worn on either ribbon for subsequent awards, respectively.

 An Arctic "A" Device will be worn on the short tour ribbon upon completion of a short tour above the Arctic Circle. Thule Air Base, Greenland, qualifies for this device. The "A" device is awarded to all current Air Force active, Reserve and Guard personnel, serving on duty as of 10 February 2002, regardless of the date of tour completion. When worn alone, the device will be centered on the short tour ribbon. When worn with oak leaf clusters, the "A" device will be worn to the right of the oak leaf clusters on the ribbon. Only one "A" device will be worn, regardless of the number of Arctic tours completed.

Note: The Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon is awarded for tours between 181 days up to one year.

Category of Award: Air Force Service Medals and Achievement Awards

Established on: October 12, 1980

Authorized Device(s): Bronze and/or Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and "A" Device

References:
AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, Pages 155 and 156
DoD Manual 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Page 157

Page updated November 17, 2016

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