Serving all 7 continents
Patrick AFB, GA
Court Martial Defense
Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, serves as a strategic center for space operations and missile testing, harmonizing diverse cultural and professional landscapes. It supports a broad spectrum of missions, including satellite launches, space surveillance, and recovery operations.
The First Space Force Guardian To Need Military Court Martial Defense Out of Patrick Space Force Base
To be clear, we have not yet met the first Space Force Guardian in need of military court martial defense out of Patrick Space Force Base. We are just saying that our HQ in Tampa, Florida is only a two hour drive away and we’d make that trip in a heartbeat to defend the first Space Force Guardian at trial. Previously known as Patrick Air Force Base, the military installation located out of Brevard County, Florida was only recently renamed to Space Force and is now home to Space Launch Delta 45.
While the role of the Space Force may be new to us all, the humans that will fill the ranks of the Guardians are very familiar to us. We expect the same acts of inexplicable gallantry, just in a new uniform and potential for the first time, a Medal of Honor recipient who earned the medal in outer space. You see, Air Force history includes men like Captain Hilliard Willbanks and we can’t wait to see the Space Force’s new equivalent of such a man.
In Vietnam, Willbanks was flying his Cessna Bird Dog on a reconnaissance mission when he noticed a group ARVN Rangers and American trainers walking right into an ambush below. Armed with only a couple of rockets, Willbanks decided to highlight the enemy position by spraying them with some white phosphorus rockets. Realizing they were exposed, the Viet Cong began the charge and were in far superior numbers that would lead to a rout of the friendly forces below.
Out of rockets, Willbanks did what any reasonable man would do in his slow flying Cessna. He rolled down the window and began to make low and slow passes while he fired his M-16 out the side window. That’s right, he strafed them in a slow fly-by shooting. He then became the focus of attention of the Viet Cong and they centered all their fire on him. Willbanks was able to slow their advance enough that air support eventually came. Sadly, not until the enemy fire found its target on Willbanks and his Cessna crashed below.
Acts of Gallantry and Sooner Or Later Charges Under the UCMJ
Hilliard Willbanks was eventually picked up and rescued, but his wounds were mortal. He did on the medevac out, but not before he heard the sound of F-4 Phantoms giving the Viet Cong a “proper” drive by. For his actions that day, he received the Medal of Honor and we expect just as much out of America’s new Air Force. Perhaps not rolling down the window in space and shooting, but gallantry nonetheless.
Unfortunately, because we understand human nature as well, sooner or later there will be Guardians facing charges under the UCMJ as well. Human nature is what it is and as such, those Guardians will need a solid military court martial defense at their side. It is important to note that Patrick Space Force Base hosts Air Force personnel as well and we’d be glad to represent you at trial as well. We’ll just be extra proud to get our first Guardian under our belt.
What Types of UCMJ Charges May Come Out of Patrick Space Force Base?
If history is any indication, Space Guardians can expect to see the same array of charges as their Air Force and other military branch brethren. Below you’ll find a list of some of the charges we have defended for all the branches in just about every clime and place where our military deploys. The list is not all-inclusive, but what you will glean from this list is that we do not shy away from the tough charges.
- UCMJ Article 120 or Article 134 (Sex offenses) – These cases can include rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, sexual assault of a minor, indecent viewing, indecent recording, forcible pandering, indecent exposure, and other Article 120 and Article 120(c) offenses. Humans are sexual beings and we don’t expect Space Force Guardians to be any different. Members of the military in every branch have found themselves facing serious charges and allegations that are in need of a strong defense. Sadly, all it takes is an allegation to sometimes ruin a career and we don’t expect the Space Force to be an exception to this rule.
- UCMJ Article 121 (Fraud and Larceny) – We defend cases such as conspiracy to defraud the military, BAH fraud, OHA fraud, extortion, larceny, wrongful appropriation, and more. BAH fraud is typically one of the more common types of fraud we see in the military. Everything from sham marriages to addresses listed in more expensive zip codes, we’ve seen and defended it all.
Now, we are not certain how this will play out for the Space Force when duty stations start including the moon or Mars, but you can be certain that some Guardian will claim he lives on the expensive side of the moon and married an alien stripper to get a little extra BAH.
Sometimes this BAH is an honest mistake and others, it is intentional. In both cases, members of the military and the Space Force deserve the chance to fight back and not let their careers be defined by that mistake. - UCMJ Article 128 (Assault and Violent Crime) – We represent service members facing charges including murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, assault, and cases involving self-defense and defense of another. First bar opens up on the moon, there will be a fight. Again, its human nature. In the meantime, Guardians stationed out of Patrick can still expect their fair share of fights here on Earth.
It’s not clear where the Space Force falls in the military pecking order other than to say that the Marines will still think that they are the best and the Space Force will likely try to bag on the Coast Guard with the rest. However, interaservice fights happen. The problem is that when a chair, beer bottle, or moon rock gets involved, it becomes very serious. Sometimes, members of the military need to fight for their careers as hard as they fight each other in a drunken brawl. - UCMJ Article 112a (Drug Crimes) – We defend cases involving drug possession, drug distribution, drug importation, drug manufacturing, drug trafficking, positive urinalysis cases, tampering with urinalysis cases, and more. These cases often involve illegal controlled substances such as marijuana, LSD, methamphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, molly, opioids, analogues, and more.
As such, we expect to see this within the Space Force as well along with whatever new drugs come about after first contact with an alien species. Again, different uniforms, but same human nature we are fighting here. There are always extenuating circumstances surrounding drug use in the military and those need to be thoroughly examined before you accept a charge that could end your career or cost you your freedom. - Punitive Articles of the UCMJ 77-134 (Military Specific Offenses) – These include charges such as fraternization, unauthorized absence (AWOL), disobeying a lawful order, conduct unbecoming an officer, and much more. Where two or more members of the military are gathered, someone is going to violate the UCMJ sooner or later.
Fighting Back Against the UCMJ In Every Clime and Place
Now, we write this article with a little bit of levity that highlights the novelty of our newest branch of the military and what we might see at one of our first Space Force Bases. However, what these Guardians are going to face under the UCMJ are serious. We take on the tough cases where careers, retirements, and individual freedom is on the line. That’s why clients fly us in from all over the world. That’s why if we have to go to the moon or Mars to defend a Guardian at court martial, so be it.
We specialize in at-trial court martial defense. We understand that taking the fight to court is your best chance to have your name cleared and we don’t think this will be any different with the Space Force. If you are under investigation or you are facing court martial, give us a call. We’ll give you a free consultation and shoot you straight on what you are facing. With our headquarters in Tampa, Patrick is a short drive away. If you are willing to fight for your career, then so are we.
Our hats are off to the new breed of Guardians and we are truly excited about this final frontier of exploration. We’re just a little bit more excited to take on our first Guardian case and you can be certain that we’ll fight to defend you like the universe depends on it. Reach out and let’s start the fight together.
Facing an Allegation?
Contact Bilecki Law Group
Timothy James Bilecki
Military law attorney
- tbilecki@bileckilawgroup.com
- Tampa, FL 33602
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- tbilecki@bileckilawgroup.com
- 813-669-3500
- Bilecki Law Group, PLLC, 601 S. Harbour Island BLVD, Suite 109 Tampa, FL 33602