Two dozen servicemen of a small Armenian contingent deployed in Afghanistan have been awarded with medals and certificates by their immediate German commanders for “being active in the process of realizing the peacekeeping mission”, according to a report by the Armenian Defense Ministry.

A 40-strong Armenian peacekeeping brigade has been on mission as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) since February 14 to help NATO-led allied forces fight Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. The Armenian detachment is tasked with ensuring the security of the strategically important airport of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan. The everyday service of the Armenian personnel, reporting to the German command, includes patrolling in the airport and surrounding area, guarding the posts, as well as detecting possible threats.

The Armenian Defense Ministry reports that the medal awarding ceremony took place near the Kunduz airfield in front of the Armenian chapel built by the Armenian servicemen themselves.

This is the first time Armenians earn medals for their ongoing Afghan mission. The Armenian brigade reportedly earned praise and high evaluation from the German commanders in March for their “initiative in undertaking extra safety measures in the area of the airfield.”