RAF MILDENHALL COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
RAF Mildenhall 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 RAF Mildenhall. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at RAF Mildenhall: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at RAF Mildenhall 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 RAF Mildenhall
Three types of courts-martial can be convened for service members at RAF Mildenhall. 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 RAF Mildenhall, 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 RAF Mildenhall
RAF Mildenhall is home to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, known as the “Bloody Hundredth,” assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) under 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 100th Air Refueling 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 RAF Mildenhall.
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 RAF Mildenhall
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At RAF Mildenhall, 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 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 RAF Mildenhall
Royal Air Force Mildenhall is a Royal Air Force station near the town of Mildenhall in Suffolk, England, located in the Forest Heath District of Suffolk County in East Anglia. Despite carrying the RAF designation, the installation currently hosts only United States Air Force units and personnel. The host wing is the 100th Air Refueling Wing, known as the “Bloody Hundredth,” assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) under Third Air Force. The 100th Air Refueling Wing is the only permanent U.S. air refueling wing in the European theater, operating 15 KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft and providing the critical air refueling bridge that allows the Expeditionary Air Force to deploy around the globe on a moment’s notice. RAF Mildenhall is also home to the 352nd Special Operations Wing, which flies the MC-130J Commando II and the CV-22B Osprey in support of U.S. European Command, Africa Command, and Central Command. Additional mission partners include the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron flying the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint, the 727th Air Mobility Squadron, the 488th Intelligence Squadron, and USAFE-UK. What sets RAF Mildenhall apart is the diversity of its units — four different major commands are represented on the installation. The base serves approximately 3,700 military personnel and is the only 24-hour U.S. Air Force airfield in the United Kingdom. Since 1958, it has served as “The Gateway to the United Kingdom,” serving as the main passenger terminal for U.S. military personnel and their families arriving in or departing from the country. RAF Mildenhall, alongside its sister base RAF Lakenheath approximately six miles away, forms the largest U.S. Air Force presence in the United Kingdom.
RAF Mildenhall was officially opened on October 16, 1934, and was dedicated by King George V on October 19, 1934, accompanied by Queen Mary and the Prince of Wales. The following day, the base hosted the start of the MacRobertson Trophy Air Race, an 11,300-mile competition to Melbourne, Australia, that attracted international attention. During World War II, RAF Mildenhall served as a major bomber base for RAF Bomber Command, operating Wellington, Stirling, and Lancaster bombers. Lancaster bombers from the base participated in over 8,000 day and night sorties over Europe, and aircraft from Mildenhall made up roughly 25 percent of the first thousand-bomber raid on Cologne. The first U.S. Army Air Forces involvement came in December 1945, when two B-17 Flying Fortresses arrived for bomb trials. In July 1950, the base was reopened as a joint USAF-RAF operation under Strategic Air Command, hosting B-50 Superfortresses and later B-47 Stratojets and KC-97 Stratotankers. In 1958, the Military Air Transport Service transferred its main United Kingdom terminal to Mildenhall, establishing the base as the Gateway to the United Kingdom. In September 1959, operational control transferred from SAC to USAFE. From the late 1970s through the 1980s, the base hosted U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance operations. On February 1, 1992, the 100th Air Refueling Wing was activated at RAF Mildenhall, assuming the European Tanker Task Force mission. In January 2015, the Department of Defense announced that operations at RAF Mildenhall would end and be relocated elsewhere. After a period of uncertainty, it was confirmed in July 2020 that the base would remain open.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at RAF Mildenhall are conducted under the authority of the USAFE-AFAFRICA chain of command, with Third Air Force serving as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority and the 100th Air Refueling Wing commander serving as the Special Court-Martial Convening Authority. Assigned defense counsel are provided through the Area Defense Counsel. RAF Mildenhall’s multi-command mission, its role as the only permanent U.S. air refueling wing in Europe, and its strategic location in East Anglia make it one of the most important U.S. Air Force installations in the United Kingdom.
For defense at other installations in the United Kingdom, see our United Kingdom Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at RAF Mildenhall?
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 RAF Mildenhall. 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 RAF Mildenhall?
Yes. While RAF Mildenhall 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 the United Kingdom.
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 RAF Mildenhall?
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 RAF Mildenhall, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to RAF Mildenhall?
I travel to the United Kingdom 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 RAF Mildenhall Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at RAF Mildenhall, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.