EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Eielson AFB 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 airmen at Eielson Air Force Base. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Eielson AFB: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Eielson 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 Eielson AFB
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Eielson Air Force Base. 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 Eielson, 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 Eielson AFB
Eielson Air Force Base is an Air Force installation. The General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the Commander, 11th Air Force, headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The 354th Fighter Wing commander can convene special and summary courts-martial for airmen under their command.
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 Eielson.
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 service members.
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 Eielson AFB
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Eielson, 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 carrying heavy caseloads. They rotate assignments, which means your attorney may change during your case. They also work within the same military structure as the prosecutors and judges in your case.
A civilian defense lawyer brings independence. I am not part of the chain of command. I am not subject to military reassignment. When I take your case, I am with you from start to finish — and I answer only to you.
I have defended service members at courts-martial and administrative boards for years. I know how the military justice system works. I know the commands, the convening authorities, and the procedures. And I have the trial experience to fight for you.
About Eielson AFB
Eielson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located approximately 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The base was established in 1943 as Mile 26 Satellite Field, originally constructed as a satellite of nearby Ladd Field, now Fort Wainwright. Construction began in August 1943 and was completed in October 1944 at a cost of approximately $8 million. The installation was named in honor of Colonel Carl Ben Eielson, a pioneer Alaskan bush pilot and former Army Air Service aviator who died in 1929 during a rescue mission in the Arctic. The base was officially redesignated Eielson Air Force Base on January 13, 1948, following the establishment of the Air Force as an independent service branch. During World War II, the base supported Arctic training and airborne operations. After the war, the base was closed, but it reopened in September 1946 as the Cold War created demand for a long-range bomber base in Alaska. The west runway was expanded to 14,500 feet, one of the longest military runways in the United States, to accommodate Strategic Air Command bombers. Throughout the Cold War, Eielson hosted B-29s, B-36s, and B-47s, and supported the Distant Early Warning Line, a system of radar stations designed to detect Soviet bombers approaching North America.
The 354th Fighter Wing is the host unit at Eielson, assigned to 11th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces. The wing’s mission is to provide combat-ready airpower, advanced integration training, and a strategic Arctic basing option. Eielson is home to two combat-coded F-35A Lightning II fighter squadrons — the 355th Fighter Squadron and the 356th Fighter Squadron — which completed a two-year beddown in April 2022 with a total of 54 aircraft. The F-35 program brought approximately 3,500 personnel to the base, increasing the installation’s population by roughly 50 percent. The 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, redesignated from the 18th Aggressor Squadron in February 2024, operates F-16 Fighting Falcons in an aerospace control and homeland defense role. The 168th Air Refueling Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard operates KC-135 Stratotankers from Eielson, providing aerial refueling across the Pacific and Arctic regions. The base also hosts the Arctic Survival School and Detachment 1 of the 210th Rescue Squadron, which operates HH-60 helicopters. Eielson is the primary hub for RED FLAG-Alaska, a series of large-force combat training exercises conducted on the Joint Pacific Alaskan Range Complex, the largest instrumented air combat training range in the United States.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Eielson are conducted under the authority of 11th Air Force and 354th Fighter Wing commanders. The Air Force Area Defense Counsel provides assigned defense counsel. Eielson’s strategic location in the Alaskan Interior makes it one of the most important installations for Arctic and Indo-Pacific airpower, with Alaska holding the highest concentration of combat-coded fifth-generation fighter aircraft in the United States.
For defense at other installations in Alaska, see our Alaska Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Eielson AFB?
I handle courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, administrative separation boards, Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment proceedings, military investigations, and UCMJ defense for airmen at Eielson Air Force Base. 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 Eielson AFB?
Yes. Eielson is an Air Force installation, but I represent service members from every branch facing military discipline anywhere in Alaska. Whether you are stationed at Eielson, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Fort Wainwright, or a Coast Guard facility, I can help.
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 Eielson AFB?
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 Eielson, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Eielson AFB?
I travel to Alaska 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 Eielson AFB Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Eielson Air Force Base, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.