The General Service Medal - South-West Asia (GSM-SWA) acknowledges civilian and military service (Canadian Forces or allied forces) in direct support of operations in the presence of an armed enemy. It is not necessary to be located within the theatre of operations to qualify.
The medal was established by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004. The all-encompassing nature of the award circumvents the need to create a new honour for every Canadian Force operation following 2004. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson remarked that she was "pleased that our national system of honours has developed this timely way to recognize those who have served with distinction during operations against an armed foe".
The medal was issued by the Canadian Government, designed by Captain Carl Gautheir of the Directorate of History and Heritage, finalized by the Canadian Heraldic Authority, and first awarded on the 29th of November, 2004.
Initially, the GCS was awarded with a bar to indicate the theatre or type of service recognized (Allied Force and/or South-West Asia). However, since 2009 the bars have been abolished and the distinction is now made through the colour of the ribbons. This alteration created space on the ribbon to recognize and denote multiple rotations through coloured pins (i.e., silver maple leaf = 1 rotation bar or 210 days of service; gold maple leaf = 2 rotations or 390 days; red maple leaf = 3 rotations or 570 days). The medal housed at LAC pre-dates the 2009 change and the traditional GSM ribbon (those colours currently used for South-West Asia) are affixed with the Allied Force and the South-West Asia bars.
"ALLIED FORCE: This bar is awarded to personnel who served at least 30 days cumulative in direct support of Operation ALLIED FORCE in Aviano and/or Vicenza, Italy, from March 24, to June 10, 1999.
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF): Canadian citizens other than Canadian Forces members who worked with the Canadian Forces and served with the Canadian contribution to the ISAF in Afghanistan at least 30 days cumulative between April 24, 2003, and a termination date to be determined, in the theatre of operations which consisted of the political boundaries and airspace of Afghanistan.
Members of the Canadian Forces, other Canadian citizens and members of allied forces working with the Canadian Forces who served in the following locations for at least 90 days cumulative in direct support, on a full-time basis, of the Canadian contribution to the ISAF: Logistic support in Taranto, Italy, from May 1, 2003; Interim Staging Base (ISB) in Istanbul, Turkey, from June 2, 2003; and National Support Element (NSE) in Camp Mirage from August 17, 2003." - Governor General announces the General Campaign Star and the General Service Medal (2004, July 7).
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