Operational Service Medal for time in Iraq

(Left) Brigadier-General Wade Rutland presenting the Operational Service Medal (OSA) to Tariq Hassan Gordon, Kuwait, July 1, 2022.

Tariq Hassan Gordon and Canadian Ambassador to Kuwait, Alyia Mawani, July 1, 2022.

On July 1, 2022, I received the Governor-General’s Operational Service Medal for my work in support the Canadian Armed Forces deployed to OP IMPACT.  This expeditionary medal recognizes Canadian public servants who have supported the CAF in dangerous operations overseas. Approximately 30 civilians received this award for service in Iraq between 2014 and 2022.

This medal ends over 12 years of my diplomatic work covering Iraq, and it was very special to receive it with Canada's Ambassador to Kuwait, Aliya Mawani, in attendance at the award ceremony. Particularly as my first trip to Iraq was in December 2009 with Ambassador Mawani when she was posted to Iraq.  

The Operational Service Medal (OSM)