PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Prince Sultan Air Base 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 Prince Sultan Air Base. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Prince Sultan Air Base: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Prince Sultan Air Base 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 Prince Sultan Air Base
A court-martial is the most serious disciplinary proceeding in the military justice system. At Prince Sultan Air Base, courts-martial can be convened for offenses ranging from drug use and fraud to sexual assault and violent crimes under the UCMJ. The three types of courts-martial — summary, special, and general — carry different procedures and maximum punishments. A general court-martial can result in a dishonorable discharge, confinement, and a federal conviction that follows you for life. If you are facing a court-martial at PSAB, you need a defense lawyer who understands both the military justice system and the unique environment of a deployed or forward-based installation.
Convening Authorities at Prince Sultan Air Base
Prince Sultan Air Base is a Royal Saudi Air Force installation hosting U.S. and coalition forces under a host-nation agreement. The base is operated by the Saudi Ministry of Defense and is home to RSAF Wing 6, Wing 4, and Wing 14. The U.S. Air Force presence at Prince Sultan Air Base falls under U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT), also known as 9th Air Force, the Air Force component of U.S. Central Command. The General Court-Martial Convening Authority is the AFCENT commander. The Special Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing commander.
The Office of Special Trial Counsel
Under recent military justice reforms, certain serious offenses — including sexual assault, domestic violence, and child-related offenses — are now handled by the Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC). The OSTC operates independently from the chain of command, and independent military prosecutors — not your commander — decide whether these cases go to court-martial. This change was designed to remove command influence from the most sensitive cases. But it also means you may face a dedicated, specialized prosecutor with extensive resources. You need a defense lawyer who has experience against these prosecutors and knows how to challenge their evidence at every stage.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
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. Enlisted service members face administrative separation boards under similar procedures. In both cases, you have the right to a lawyer, to present evidence, to cross-examine witnesses, and to argue for your retention or an honorable discharge. The outcome of these proceedings can affect your benefits, your veteran status, and your future employment. A skilled civilian defense lawyer can make the difference between an honorable discharge and a stigma that lasts a lifetime.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at Prince Sultan Air Base
Article 15, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment or NJP, is a disciplinary tool available to commanders without the need for a court-martial. At Prince Sultan Air Base, Article 15 proceedings can result in restriction, forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank, and extra duties. While an Article 15 is less severe than a court-martial, it still goes on your record and can derail your career. You have the right to consult a lawyer before accepting an Article 15. You also have the right to demand a court-martial instead — which puts the burden of proof on the government but carries potentially harsher penalties. The decision of whether to accept an Article 15 or demand trial is one of the most important choices you will make. You should not make it without speaking to an experienced defense lawyer first.
Why You Need a Civilian Defense Lawyer
The Air Force provides defense counsel through the Area Defense Counsel (ADC). The ADC at Prince Sultan Air Base serves service members across the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing and the broader 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.
About Prince Sultan Air Base
Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB) is a Royal Saudi Air Force installation located in Al Kharj, approximately 80 kilometers southeast of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Built in 1951, the base sits at an elevation of 503 meters and covers roughly 80 square miles. It has two parallel runways — 17L/35R and 17R/35L — each measuring 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) in length. The base’s ICAO code is OEPS (IATA: AKH). The Royal Saudi Air Force’s Wing 6, Wing 4, and Wing 14 are stationed at PSAB, operating E-3A Sentry AWACS aircraft, A330 MRTT refueling tankers, KC-130H/J Hercules tankers, Saab 2000 AEW&C surveillance aircraft, and RE-3A/B and KE-3A reconnaissance and refueling platforms. The American military enclave sits inside the larger secure Saudi base.
The U.S. Air Force first occupied the base during Operation Desert Shield in late 1990, when RED HORSE engineers transformed a semi-finished Saudi airfield — nicknamed “Al’s Garage” — into the largest expeditionary operating location in the theater. During Desert Storm, F-15E Strike Eagle squadrons flew 2,172 combat sorties, hunting Scud missiles and destroying Iraqi armor. After the June 1996 Khobar Towers bombing killed 19 American service members in Dhahran, U.S. Central Command relocated all Air Force activities to PSAB. The base became the hub for Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the Iraqi southern no-fly zone, and hosted the Combined Air Operations Center. At its peak, approximately 4,500 U.S. and coalition personnel operated from PSAB — flying F-15s, F-16s, EA-6B Prowlers, RAF Tornado F.3s, and French Mirage 2000s. In 2003, most U.S. operations shifted to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and PSAB went quiet.
In June 2019, the 621st Contingency Response Group arrived at a nearly empty patch of sand to reopen the base. Within 90 days, the 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group — including the 577th Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron and 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron — built living quarters for over a thousand airmen. The 378th Air Expeditionary Wing was activated on December 17, 2019, with approximately 1,800 personnel. By October 2019, B-1B Lancer bombers, F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, and Patriot missile batteries had deployed to PSAB. Today, the 378th AEW operates F-15E Strike Eagles (including the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed from RAF Lakenheath), F-16 Fighting Falcons, KC-10 Extender and KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft (908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron), C-130 Hercules transports, and THAAD and Patriot air defense systems. In August 2023, the 378th Air Base Group was established under the Air Force Force Generation (AFFORGEN) deployment model — the first AEW in AFCENT to adopt the new structure. During the 2026 Iran war, PSAB was struck twice in March by Fattah-2 ballistic missiles fired from over 800 kilometers away — the first strike destroyed an E-3G Sentry AWACS aircraft valued at approximately $270 million and damaged five KC-135 tankers, and the second injured 12 American personnel. On May 3, 2026, Saudi Arabia grounded all 43 U.S. warplanes at PSAB, closed its airspace to U.S. military flights, and suspended U.S. operational authority from the base. By late July, Washington was considering drawing down 2,300 personnel, along with contractors and THAAD maintenance crews.
For defense at other installations in the CENTCOM area, see our CENTCOM Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Prince Sultan Air Base?
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 Prince Sultan Air 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. Cases originating at Prince Sultan Air Base 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 Prince Sultan Air Base?
Yes. While Prince Sultan Air Base is primarily a U.S. Air Force installation, service members from every branch are assigned here, including Army air defense artillery personnel, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel. 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 at Prince Sultan Air Base serves service members across the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing and the broader 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 Prince Sultan Air Base?
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 Prince Sultan Air Base, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Prince Sultan Air Base?
I travel to Saudi Arabia 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 a Prince Sultan Air Base Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, Article 15, or UCMJ investigation at Prince Sultan Air Base, do not wait. The military justice system moves fast, and the earlier you have a skilled civilian defense lawyer on your side, the better your chances of protecting your career, your freedom, and your future. Call me today for a free, confidential consultation.
I have defended service members at courts-martial and administrative boards at bases that were built from nothing and rebuilt when the mission demanded — and I know that your defense deserves the same determination.