AL UDEID COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Al Udeid Court-Martial and UCMJ Defense
From courts-martial and Boards of Inquiry to other UCMJ defense and administrative actions, these are the cases I handle for service members at Al Udeid. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Al Udeid: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Al Udeid is the first step in protecting yourself. Knowing why a seasoned civilian defense lawyer matters is the second. This section covers both.
Courts-Martial at Al Udeid
Three types of courts-martial can be convened for service members at Al Udeid. A summary court-martial handles minor offenses and can impose limited punishments, including confinement and reduction in rank. A special court-martial handles mid-level offenses and can result in confinement, forfeiture of pay, and a bad-conduct discharge. A general court-martial handles the most serious offenses. It can impose lengthy confinement, a dishonorable discharge, and other severe penalties.
If you are facing a court-martial at Al Udeid, the prosecution has likely been building its case before you were ever charged. You need a defense lawyer who can match that preparation. You need someone with the trial experience to fight in the courtroom — not just negotiate behind closed doors.
Convening Authorities at Al Udeid
Al Udeid Air Base is a Qatar Emiri Air Force installation, with the U.S. Air Force operating as a tenant under a Defense Cooperation Agreement. The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing (379th AEW) is the host U.S. unit. The General Court-Martial Convening Authority for Air Force forces in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility is the commander of U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT), who also serves as commander of Ninth Air Force. The Special Court-Martial Convening Authority at Al Udeid is typically the 379th AEW commander.
Cases originating at Al Udeid may be handled in-theater or deferred until redeployment. Even when proceedings are delayed until you return stateside, statements, evidence, and decisions made at Al Udeid often shape the entire case. A skilled defense lawyer can engage with the convening authority early. Before charges are referred, there may be an opportunity to advocate for your interests, present mitigating evidence, or persuade the command to take a different path.
The Office of Special Trial Counsel
Under recent military justice reforms, certain cases are now handled by the Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC). These include sexual assault offenses, domestic violence, and related crimes. The OSTC operates independently from the chain of command. An independent special trial counsel decides whether to refer these cases to court-martial — not your commanding officer.
This means that for certain offenses, the convening authority no longer controls whether your case goes to court-martial. Having a civilian defense lawyer who understands how the OSTC process works is critical if you are facing these types of charges at Al Udeid.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The Air Force can process you for administrative separation through a Board of Inquiry or an Administrative Separation Board. A Board of Inquiry is used for officers. An Administrative Separation Board is used for enlisted airmen. These boards can end your military career. They can also determine your discharge characterization, which affects your veterans’ benefits and future employment.
You have the right to a lawyer at these proceedings. A civilian defense lawyer who understands the administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at Al Udeid
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Al Udeid, your command can impose an Article 15 for minor offenses. If you accept an Article 15, you give up your right to a court-martial. In return, you limit the maximum punishment your command can impose.
You have the right to consult with a defense counsel before accepting an Article 15. You also have the right to demand a court-martial instead. A defense lawyer can help you weigh your options and can advocate for a reduction in punishment during the proceeding.
Why You Need a Civilian Defense Lawyer
The Air Force provides defense counsel through the Area Defense Counsel (ADC). The ADC office at Al Udeid serves deployed service members across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. ADC attorneys are dedicated defense lawyers, but they are often overloaded with cases and may rotate assignments during your case. As a civilian defense lawyer, I am not subject to reassignment. I am with you from start to finish. I bring independence from the military chain of command and years of trial experience defending service members. You deserve a lawyer who has the time, focus, and experience to give your case everything it deserves.
I have fought for service members at courts-martial and administrative boards in deployed environments and combat zones — where the stakes are higher and the fight is harder. I know how the military justice system works. I know the commands, the convening authorities, and the procedures. When everything you have worked for is on the line, you need a lawyer who has the experience, independence, and fight to stand with you.
About Al Udeid
Al Udeid Air Base is located in the municipality of Al Rayyan, approximately 20 miles southwest of Doha, Qatar, in the flat desert of the Arabian Peninsula. The installation is a Qatar Emiri Air Force base — also known as Abu Nakhlah Airport — owned and operated by the Qatar Armed Forces, with the U.S. Air Force, the United Kingdom Royal Air Force, and other coalition forces operating as tenants under a Defense Cooperation Agreement first concluded following Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and subsequently expanded. At 12 square miles, Al Udeid is the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East, hosting approximately 10,000 U.S. and coalition military personnel. The base serves as the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the headquarters of U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT), also known as Ninth Air Force. The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing (379th AEW), nicknamed the “Grand Slam Wing,” is the host U.S. Air Force unit and the largest and most diverse expeditionary wing in AFCENT, operating more than 100 aircraft across airlift, aerial refueling, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, and aeromedical evacuation missions in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield. Key subordinate units include the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron (KC-135 Stratotanker), the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (C-17 Globemaster III), the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (C-130 Hercules), the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron (RC-135 Rivet Joint), the 7th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron (E-8 Joint STARS), and the 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. The base features two 3,750-meter runways and can accommodate up to 120 aircraft. The United Kingdom’s No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group RAF and the Qatar Emiri Air Force, including F-15QA Strike Eagle and C-17A Globemaster III squadrons, also operate from the installation. Al Udeid sits approximately 120 miles from Iran across the Persian Gulf, making it a critical power projection platform for operations across the Middle East, Central Asia, and beyond.
Qatar built Al Udeid Air Base in 1996 at a cost of more than $1 billion. The United States first used the then-secret base in late September 2001, when the Air Force needed to position aircraft for operations in Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks. Official acknowledgment came in March 2002, when Vice President Dick Cheney visited the base with reporters. In April 2003, the U.S. Combat Air Operations Center for the Middle East moved from Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia to Al Udeid, making it the operational center for U.S. air power in the region. During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Royal Australian Air Force deployed 14 F/A-18 Hornets, two P-3 Orions, and three C-130 Hercules to Al Udeid, while the RAF Al Udeid Wing flew 268 sorties in the opening weeks of the war. Between 2004 and 2009, the RAF operated Panavia Tornado GR4s and Vickers VC10s from the base in support of Operations Telic and Herrick. Since 2014, the base has served as headquarters for British involvement in airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria under Operation Shader. In June 2017, the base hosted over 11,000 U.S. and coalition forces and more than 100 operational aircraft at the height of the anti-ISIS campaign. In June 2019, F-22 Raptors were stationed at the base for the first time, and Qatar announced a $1.8 billion expansion. On June 23, 2025, Iran launched missiles at Al Udeid in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, damaging a communications radome but causing no casualties. Iran struck the base again on February 28, 2026, during a broader conflict.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings involving Air Force service members at Al Udeid fall under the AFCENT chain of command. The AFCENT commander serves as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority for Air Force forces in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, and the 379th AEW commander serves as the Special Court-Martial Convening Authority. Assigned defense counsel are provided through the Area Defense Counsel office at Al Udeid. Al Udeid’s role as the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East, its position as the forward headquarters of CENTCOM and AFCENT, and its support of combat operations across three combatant command areas make it one of the most strategically important U.S. military installations in the world.
For defense at other installations in CENTCOM, see our CENTCOM Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Al Udeid?
I handle courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, administrative separation boards, Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment proceedings, military investigations, and UCMJ defense for service members at Al Udeid. My primary focus is court-martial defense. This includes serious offenses such as sexual assault, drug offenses, fraud, and violent crimes under the UCMJ. Cases originating at Al Udeid may be handled in-theater or deferred until redeployment, but statements and evidence gathered at the base often shape the entire case.
Do you represent all branches at Al Udeid?
Yes. While Al Udeid is primarily a U.S. Air Force installation, service members from every branch are assigned to CENTCOM, AFCENT, and subordinate commands at the base. I represent service members from every branch facing military discipline anywhere in the world.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the ADC?
The Air Force provides defense counsel through the Area Defense Counsel (ADC). The ADC office at Al Udeid serves deployed service members across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. ADC attorneys are dedicated defense lawyers, but they are often overloaded with cases and may rotate assignments during your case. As a civilian defense lawyer, I am not subject to reassignment or deployment cycles. I am with you from start to finish. I bring independence from the military chain of command and years of trial experience defending service members. You deserve a lawyer who has the time, focus, and experience to give your case everything it deserves.
What is a Board of Inquiry?
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative proceeding used to separate officers from the Air Force. The board reviews allegations of misconduct or substandard performance. It can recommend separation with a specific discharge characterization. You have the right to a lawyer at a Board of Inquiry. A skilled civilian defense lawyer can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Can you help with Article 15 at Al Udeid?
Yes. I can review the evidence against you, advise you whether to accept the Article 15 or demand a court-martial, and advocate for a reduction in punishment during the proceeding. Article 15 punishments can include restriction, forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank, and extra duties. Having a lawyer involved early can make a significant difference in the outcome.
I’m under investigation — what should I do?
Do not make any statements to investigators, your chain of command, or anyone else about the allegations without consulting a lawyer first. You have the right to remain silent under Article 31(b) of the UCMJ. Contact a defense lawyer immediately. The earlier I get involved, the more I can do to protect you. This includes conducting an independent investigation, engaging with the command before charges are referred, and building a defense strategy from day one.
Can you help with sexual assault allegations under the UCMJ?
Yes. Sexual assault allegations under Articles 120, 120b, and 120c of the UCMJ are among the most serious charges a service member can face. These cases carry severe penalties, including lengthy confinement and sex offender registration. Under recent reforms, the Office of Special Trial Counsel now handles these cases independently from the chain of command. I have experience defending sexual assault cases in the military. I understand the unique evidentiary and procedural issues these cases involve. If you are facing a sexual assault allegation at Al Udeid, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Al Udeid?
I travel to Qatar for courts-martial and administrative boards. When you contact me, I will work with you to establish a timeline that meets your needs. I have spent years defending service members at courts-martial and administrative boards, and I am ready to step in when you need me.
Talk to an Al Udeid Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Al Udeid, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.