The Air and Space Commendation Medal (ASCOM) is awarded to any service member, or to any member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation, who has distinguished himself or herself by meritorious achievement or service, valor, or heroism. It was originally established as the Air Force Commendation Medal by the Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF) in March 1958 but was given its new designation on 16 November 2020 by the SecAF.
The ASCOM is awarded to U.S. and foreign military personnel in a grade of O-6 and below and may be given more than once, with subsequent awards marked by bronze oak leaves. Silver oak leaves are awarded in lieu of five bronze. A “V” device signifying valor was authorized 1996, and twenty years later the Department of Defense approved two more attachments for wear on the medal: the “C” and “R” devices. The “C” was created to recognize meritorious service under combat conditions (though direct exposure to hostile action is not required), while the “R” device was established to denote that the recipient’s hands-on employment of a weapon system while not exposed (or at significant risk of exposure) to hostile enemy action had a “direct and immediate impact” on a combat or military operations.
The medal is a bronze hexagon with one point up and inscribed with the Seal of the Air Force: an eagle is superimposed over a circle symbolizing clouds. The eagle's wings are spread, and it is perched on a baton. Below the eagle is a shield featuring a pair of flyer's wings and a vertical baton with an eagle's claw at either end. Eight lightning bolts on the shield are rendered in the style referred to as “darts” and seen on the visor of Air Force Service Caps for Field-Grade and General Officers.