For deployments exceeding 45–90 days, a single Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon will be awarded for the entire time frame rather than issuing multiple awards for the same period of deployed service.

However, it can also be awarded to those who serve in areas where the service member receives hostile fire pay and supports combat operations.

The gold border is issued as a one-time award only, regardless of the number of combat operations in which a service member serves.

[4] The Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border may also be awarded to certain "over-the horizon" combat assignments, such as remotely piloted vehicle and space operators for employing a long-range weapon into a combat zone.

It is therefore possible to earn the gold border geographically separated from the battlefield by thousands of miles.