RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-02065
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO
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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The reasons the applicant believes the records to be in error or unjust and the evidence submitted in support of the appeal are at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant's military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force (Exhibit C).

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial.  They indicated that the applicant served on active duty during the period 6 August 1980 through 31 October 2000.  The AF Form 104, Service Medal Award Verification, only gives the information “KCM, Allied Force, 1 June 1999 through 2 October 1999,” and it was dated 21 February 2001.  The first time the applicant submitted a DD Form 149, the AF Form 104 was the only document he submitted.  On 16 July 2002, this office informed the applicant that the AF Form 104 could not be considered valid since it was generated after his retirement, and the individual who signed it did not have access to his records or the necessary documentation to verify his eligibility for the KCM.  He was asked to provide a copy of his TDY order, showing that he was deployed in direct support of Operation ALLIED FORCE, and a copy of his Travel Voucher to show that he was in the designated area for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days.  Instead of providing the necessary documents, the applicant submitted another DD Form 149, with additional documents.

The KCM is awarded to Service members who participated in, or served in direct support of, Kosovo operations (ALLIED FORCE: 24 March 1999 - 10 June 1999) for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days in a designated area.  Italy is included in the list of areas.

The applicant believes that since the citation for his MSM and EPR state he flew 20 combat hours in direct support of Operation ALLIED FORCE, he is entitled to the KCM.  However, his EPR states the no-notice deployment was to support Compass Call operations.  Compass Call is an aircraft for which the applicant was an instructor/evaluator, and his records show that he was frequently TDY to test the aircraft.  Furthermore, the closeout date for award of the KCM is 10 June 1999.  Since the applicant did not arrive in Aviano, Italy, until 1 June 1999, he was not in Italy for 30 consecutive days during this operation.  The applicant stated in his second DD Form 149 that, since the deployment was classified, all TDY and Travel Vouchers were shredded.  Since the deployment is cited in the MSM and his EPR, it could not have been classified, and there was no reason to destroy his TDY order or Travel Voucher.  It is the Service member’s responsibility to provide the necessary documentation to substantiate a claim for any campaign award.  Applicant has not provided the necessary documentation to substantiate his claim that he was deployed to Aviano, Italy, in direct support of Operation ALLIED FORCE for 30 consecutive days, or that he was a regularly assigned aircrew member who flew in direct support of the military operations.

The evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 16 August 2002, a copy of the evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within thirty (30) days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.	The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.	The application was timely filed.

3.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 02-02065 in Executive Session on 25 September 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 24 July 2002, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 12 August 2002, w/atchs.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 August 2002.

				Panel Chair