Legal office participates in exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  During the phase II Operational Readiness Exercise April 6 through 10, the base legal office showcased their abilities to provide legal assistance no matter where they're located.

Whether it's at home station, in a personnel deployment function or at a deployed location, if Airmen need legal assistance, they have somewhere to get it.

"A not uncommon misperception is that lawyers and paralegals don't deploy," said Capt. Justin Strong, 366th Fighter Wing staff judge advocate. "Some people's first reaction to hearing about a lawyer down-range is, 'I didn't realize slips-and-falls are such a big problem in Iraq.' In reality, we do much the same job we do at our home stations: we advise commanders, give legal assistance to military members and assist in the military justice process."

Before servicemembers deploy, legal representatives brief Airmen on what they can offer and the importance of their compliance with the Rules of Engagement and Law of Armed Conflict.

"While the rules at home often are limited to Air Force and Department of Defense instructions, deployments may have us looking into International Humanitarian Law (LOAC), ROE and Status of Forces Agreements," said Captain Strong.

By speaking with Airmen before they deploy, it helps them keep their mind on the mission instead of legal affairs at home.

"We want to ensure deployers have all their legal affairs in order and we answer any questions they and their families might have before they get down range," said Staff Sgt. Steven Bayne, 366th Fighter Wing legal office noncommissioned officer in charge. "This allows them to focus on the deployed mission instead of issues back home; however, not all legal affairs are foreseeable, and that is where the deployed legal office is available to assist."

During the Phase II exercise, Airmen in the legal office work through situations involving the ROE, LOAC or SOFA particular to the deployed location as well as any military justice issues deployed commanders might have.

"If there are any suspected LOAC violations, we have to report them up our chain of command along with the base's chain as soon as possible," said Sergeant Bayne.

The legal office also deals with the Uniform Code of Military Justice, questions about war trophies, conscientious objectors and basic legal assistance.

"For the most part, we cover the entire spectrum," said Sergeant Bayne.

Airmen from the legal office deploying today often go in support of a deployed base's legal office where a paralegal and attorney work together providing support to the base, or they may be called upon to support Task Force 134 where they would assist in detainee operations.

Overall, no matter where the legal office is, they offer the same essential legal assistance they would if they were at their home station.