USCG Air Station Clearwater Military Defense Lawyers – Florida UCMJ Attorneys

Elite Court-Martial & Administrative Separation Defense for Coast Guard Personnel at Air Station Clearwater

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater is one of the busiest and most operationally demanding Coast Guard aviation units in the country. Located in the greater Tampa Bay region, the air station is home to MH-60 Jayhawk and HC-130 Hercules aircraft that execute search and rescue missions, migrant interdiction, drug interdiction, hurricane response, and homeland security operations across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

When allegations surface at USCG Air Station Clearwater—whether misconduct, UCMJ violations, domestic disputes, relationship issues, or safety concerns—commands react quickly and aggressively. Coast Guard personnel operate in high-risk environments, and leadership has zero tolerance for anything that could jeopardize mission capability. This means **even minor allegations can escalate into major legal actions**, including CGIS investigations, NJP, administrative separation, BOIs, or court-martial charges.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law is the premier military defense firm representing Coast Guard aviators, pilots, aircrew, rescue swimmers, and support staff stationed at Air Station Clearwater. Led by former JAG attorney Michael Waddington and experienced courtroom litigator Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, we defend Coast Guard members worldwide against the toughest UCMJ cases and administrative actions.

Why Coast Guard Members at Air Station Clearwater Need Immediate Legal Defense

Aviation units like Clearwater operate under heightened scrutiny due to the danger and responsibility associated with flight operations. Allegations often escalate faster here than at any other type of Coast Guard unit.

• CGIS begins investigations immediately—often before the accused is notified
• Alcohol- or liberty-related incidents in Tampa, Clearwater Beach, and St. Pete escalate rapidly
• Sexual assault allegations are aggressively pursued even when evidence is weak
• Domestic disputes are often overcharged or misinterpreted by law enforcement
• Administrative separations happen quickly when leadership perceives any “operational risk”
• Aircrew and pilots face additional consequences tied to safety and clearance requirements

UCMJ Violations We Defend at USCG Air Station Clearwater

Our firm defends the full spectrum of UCMJ offenses, including felony-level allegations and aviation-specific misconduct:

• Article 120 – Sexual assault, abusive sexual contact
• Article 128b – Domestic violence or assault allegations
• Article 92 – Safety violations, flight rule breaches, or misconduct
• Article 112a – Drug use or possession
• Article 107 – False official statements
• Article 86 – Failure to report or unauthorized absence
• Article 134 – Fraternization, adultery, indecent behavior
• Aviation misconduct allegations — crew conflicts, pilot performance issues, flight-line disputes

Administrative Separations & BOIs for Clearwater Coast Guard Personnel

Coast Guard aviation commands frequently use administrative separation as a quick method to remove personnel who are perceived as potential risks to operations or safety. These boards are extremely dangerous and require expert legal defense.

• Enlisted Administrative Separations
• Officers Boards of Inquiry (BOI)
• Show Cause Boards
• NJP / Captain’s Mast defense
• Page 7 / adverse evaluation rebuttals
• Security clearance suspension or revocation defense

Why Administrative Actions Are Common at USCG Air Station Clearwater

There are several unique reasons why Clearwater sees more administrative separations than many other Coast Guard units:

• Aviation safety standards are unforgiving.
• Any misconduct can jeopardize flight readiness.
• Commanding officers have heightened responsibility over pilots and aircrew.
• Local law enforcement interactions often trigger military action.
• High ops tempo leads to increased stress, conflict, and misunderstandings.

How Gonzalez & Waddington Defends Clearwater Coast Guard Personnel

Our firm develops aggressive, strategic, evidence-driven defense plans designed to expose weaknesses in the government’s case and protect your aviation career.

• Deep review of CGIS reports and investigative files
• Analysis of digital evidence — texts, emails, GPS, phone data
• Identify witness inconsistencies or exaggerations
• Develop character, flight performance, and operational value mitigation packages
• Interview crew members and coworkers to gather exculpatory information
• Retain expert witnesses for forensics, psychology, and aircraft safety issues
• Challenge command narratives and biased assumptions
• Build powerful board or courtroom testimony preparation for clients

Why Clearwater Aviators Choose Gonzalez & Waddington

Our law firm is one of the most trusted military defense teams in the world. When an aviation career is on the line, this is the team service members choose.

• Michael Waddington — former JAG & globally recognized military trial lawyer
• Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington — elite strategist & courtroom advocate
• We defend high-clearance, high-risk aviation personnel
• Decades of experience defeating weak investigations and overreaching commands
• Authors of best-selling books on cross-examination and UCMJ trial warfare
• We take limited clients to provide maximum impact and focus

Pro Tips for Coast Guard Members at Air Station Clearwater

• Never speak to CGIS voluntarily — even if you believe you’re innocent.
• Preserve all digital evidence — texts, screenshots, social media logs.
• Avoid discussing your case with coworkers or chain of command.
• Do not confront witnesses or accusers — it will be used against you.
• Document everything while details are fresh.
• Hire civilian counsel early — early strategy often determines the outcome.

Your Clearance, Flight Status & Future Are on the Line — Act Now

If you’re stationed at USCG Air Station Clearwater and facing UCMJ charges, administrative separation, NJP, a BOI, or a CGIS investigation, you must act immediately. The Coast Guard is already building its case. You need elite civilian defense lawyers on your side.

➤ Request a Confidential Consultation with Our USCG Clearwater Defense Team

USCG Air Station Clearwater Military Defense Lawyer – Frequently Asked Questions