AVIANO AIR BASE COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Aviano 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 Aviano. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Aviano: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Aviano 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 Aviano
Three types of courts-martial can be convened for service members at Aviano. 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 Aviano, 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 Aviano
Aviano Air Base is home to the 31st Fighter Wing, assigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) and Third Air Force. The General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the Third Air Force commander. The Special Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the 31st Fighter Wing commander.
The convening authority decides whether to refer charges, what charges to prefer, and whether to offer you non-judicial punishment instead of a court-martial. 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 Aviano.
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 Aviano
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Aviano, 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). 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 spent years defending service members at courts-martial and administrative boards — and winning. I know how the military justice system works. I know the commands, the convening authorities, and the procedures. When your career and your freedom are on the line, you need a lawyer who has been in the courtroom and come out on top.
About Aviano
Aviano Air Base is located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy, at the foot of the Carnic Pre-Alps, approximately 15 kilometers north of Pordenone and 50 miles north of Venice. The base is owned and controlled by the Italian Air Force, which operates it as Aeroporto Militare “Pagliano e Gori” under a bilateral agreement with the United States. The host unit is the 31st Fighter Wing, assigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) and Third Air Force. The 31st Fighter Wing is the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Alps and maintains two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter squadrons — the 510th Fighter Squadron, known as the Buzzards, and the 555th Fighter Squadron, known as the Triple Nickel. The wing also includes the 56th Rescue Squadron, operating HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters for combat search and rescue, and the 57th Rescue Squadron, which leads Guardian Angel personnel recovery operations. Additional units include the 606th Air Control Squadron, the 31st Operations Group, the 31st Maintenance Group, the 31st Mission Support Group, and the 31st Medical Group. The 731st Munitions Squadron at Camp Darby, Italy, is a geographically separated unit under the wing. Approximately 4,000 military and civilian personnel are assigned to the base.
The airfield was established in 1911 as one of the first military aviation sites in Italy. During World War I, it was used for bombing missions against the Austro-Hungarian and German armies. In 1919, the base was officially named Aeroporto Pagliano e Gori in honor of Captain Maurizio Pagliano and Lieutenant Luigi Gori, two Italian aviators who conducted a heroic raid on the Austro-Hungarian naval yards at Pula. During World War II, both the Italian Air Force and the German Luftwaffe flew missions from the base, which was severely damaged by Allied bombing. British forces captured the base in 1945 and conducted air operations until 1947, when control returned to the Italian Air Force. In October 1954, the United States and Italy signed a basing rights agreement permitting U.S. use of the installation. On February 15, 1955, USAFE activated Aviano Airfield #1, and on January 1, 1956, the base was redesignated Aviano Air Base. Throughout the Cold War, the base hosted rotational fighter squadrons from Tactical Air Command. In 1992, Headquarters 16th Air Force and the 401st Fighter Wing relocated from Torrejon Air Base, Spain, to Aviano. In 1994, the 401st Fighter Wing was inactivated and the 31st Fighter Wing became the host unit, with two F-16 squadrons permanently based at Aviano for the first time. The Aviano 2000 infrastructure program, launched in 1995, brought approximately 300 construction projects valued at over $500 million. In 2006, Headquarters 16th Air Force was restructured and relocated. The base has played a critical role in NATO operations, including Operation Allied Force over Kosovo in 1999 and Operation Unified Protector over Libya in 2011. In February 2025, Aviano marked 70 years of U.S. military presence at the base.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Aviano are conducted under the authority of the USAFE-AFAFRICA chain of command, with the Third Air Force commander serving as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority and the 31st Fighter Wing commander serving as the Special Court-Martial Convening Authority. Assigned defense counsel are provided through the Area Defense Counsel. Aviano’s strategic location near the borders of Slovenia and Austria, its role as the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Alps, and its support of NATO operations across southern Europe and the Mediterranean make it one of the most important U.S. Air Force installations in Europe.
For defense at other installations in Italy, see our Italy Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Aviano?
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 Aviano. My primary focus is court-martial defense. This includes serious offenses such as sexual assault, drug offenses, fraud, and violent crimes under the UCMJ.
Do you represent all branches at Aviano?
Yes. While Aviano is a U.S. Air Force installation, service members from other branches are sometimes assigned or detailed here. I represent service members from every branch facing military discipline anywhere in Italy.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the ADC?
The Air Force provides defense counsel through the Area Defense Counsel (ADC). 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.
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 Aviano?
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 Aviano, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Aviano?
I travel to Italy 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 defended service members at courts-martial and administrative boards for years — and I am ready to step in when you need me.
Talk to an Aviano Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Aviano, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.