Personnel eligible for this award are those member of units or staffs as set out in the Joint Operations Area Combined Joint Statement of Requirements taking part in NATO operations in Afghanistan in accordance with the qualifying conditions. Entitlement will be acquired by those forces under NATO command or control while in the JOA, and those deployed to the JOA under national command in support of the NATO operation.
 
The Afghanistan JOA is defined as the political boundaries and airspace of Afghanistan, according to ISAF operational plans.
The period of qualifying service in the Afghanistan JOA is 30 days continuous or accumulated service from June 1, 2003 to a termination date to be determined.  Aircrew members will accumulate one day’s service for the first sortie flown of any day; additional sorties flown on the same day receive no further credit.  This requirement exists for support as well as combat aircraft; support aircraft includes tanker, airlift and surveillance platforms.