The Aerospace Force Cross of Aeronautical Merit () is an

order Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * A socio-political or established or existing order, e.g. World order, Ancien Regime, Pax Britannica * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood ...

granted by

Colombia Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country primarily located in South America with Insular region of Colombia, insular regions in North America. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuel ...

, established in 1948. The order is awarded for distinguished service to the

Colombian Aerospace Force The Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC, ) is the air force of the Republic of Colombia. The Colombian Aerospace Force is one of the three institutions of the Military Forces of Colombia charged, according to the 1991 Constitution, with working to exe ...

History

Established by Decree 1068 of 20 March 1948, the Aerospace Force Cross of Aeronautical Merit was originally known as the Order of Aeronautical Merit

Antonio Ricaurte Antonio Clemente José María Bernabé Ricaurte Lozano (June 10, 1786 – March 25, 1814) was a patriot of the Independence of Colombia and Venezuela and captain of Military career of Simón Bolívar, Bolívar's army. He is remembered as the marty ...

Criteria

The Aerospace Force Cross of Aeronautical Merit is primarily awarded to Colombian Aerospace Force personnel, but may be awarded to members of the

Colombian Armed Forces The Military Forces of Colombia () are the unified armed forces of the Republic of Colombia. They consist of the Colombian Army, the Colombian Navy and the Colombian Aerospace Force. The National Police of Colombia, although technically not pa ...

Colombian National Police The National Police of Colombia () is the national police force of the Republic of Colombia. Although the National Police is not part of the Military Forces of Colombia (Army, Navy, and Aerospace Force), it constitutes along with them the " ...

. It may also be awarded to foreign civilian and military personnel. Individuals are recognized for valor and military virtue, as well as distinguished and notable service to the Colombian Aerospace Force.

Grades

The Aerospace Force Cross of Aeronautical Merit is awarded in the following grades: * Grand Cross (''Gran Cruz'') * Grand Officer (''Gran Oficial'') * Commander (''Comendador'') * Officer (''Oficial'') * Knight (''Caballero'') * Companion (''Compañero'')

References

{{reflist Orders, decorations, and medals of Colombia