U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, located on the west coast of Florida near Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater Beach, is the largest and busiest Coast Guard air station in the nation. With MH-60 Jayhawks and C-130 aircraft conducting search and rescue (SAR), homeland security patrols, drug interdiction missions, migrant operations, and hurricane response, Clearwater is one of the most operationally intense Coast Guard bases in the world.
Because of this high-optempo environment — combined with the Tampa Bay nightlife, heavy tourism, alcohol-driven incidents, high public visibility, and mission-critical responsibilities — service members at USCG Air Station Clearwater face significant legal risks. When allegations arise, the chain of command often reacts immediately. CGIS investigations begin fast. Administrative actions escalate quickly. And Coast Guard members find themselves fighting for their careers, their clearances, their flight status, and their future.
Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law is one of America’s most experienced military defense firms, representing Coast Guard personnel worldwide in UCMJ trials, administrative separations, CGIS investigations, BOIs, NJP appeals, and high-stakes misconduct cases. Led by former JAG Michael Waddington and trial lawyer Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, our firm has a proven track record of winning complex, career-threatening military cases — especially those involving aviation communities and specialty positions.
Air Station Clearwater is unique. It is simultaneously a SAR hub, a counterdrug operational force, and a high-profile public safety installation. With Coast Guard aircraft operating across Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and beyond, the legal climate at Clearwater is stricter, faster, and more aggressive than at most Coast Guard bases.
Some key challenges include:
This combination makes Coast Guard members at Clearwater highly vulnerable to being accused — and punished — faster than at many other military installations.
We defend Air Station Clearwater personnel against all UCMJ allegations, including those involving SAR crews, aviation maintenance teams, drug interdiction units, and command staff.
Administrative actions at Air Station Clearwater are extremely common and often move fast. These actions can be just as damaging as a court-martial — especially for aviation crew members, rescue swimmers, C-130 crew, and pilots.
Common triggers for separation at Clearwater include:
We aggressively challenge separation attempts — because one adverse discharge can destroy your benefits, VA access, and civilian future.
When everything is at risk — your job, your clearance, your flight status, your family, and your future — you need the most aggressive military defense team available.
If you’re under investigation or facing NJP, administrative separation, BOI, or court-martial at USCG Air Station Clearwater, understand this: the Coast Guard is already building its case against you. You need an experienced, elite defense team immediately.
➤ Schedule a Confidential Consultation with Gonzalez & Waddington
Authoritative reference: U.S. Coast Guard Military Personnel Resources
Never. Innocence does not protect you from being charged. CGIS agents are trained to gather statements that can be twisted or misinterpreted. You should always speak to a civilian military defense lawyer before giving any statement.
Yes. We represent Coast Guard members in NJP, administrative separations, and Boards of Inquiry. Civilian lawyers can prepare your rebuttal, gather evidence, and fight aggressively to protect your rank, status, and record.
Likely yes. At Clearwater — the busiest Coast Guard air station in the U.S. — even an allegation can result in grounding or temporary suspension. We work aggressively to restore flight status and prevent permanent disqualification.
Our attorneys have decades of experience defending service members in high-stakes UCMJ cases. We’ve represented personnel worldwide, including aviation crew, rescue swimmers, special operations, intel, and clearance-holding positions. Our record speaks for itself.
Visit ucmjdefense.com/florida-military-defense-lawyers/ and request a confidential case review. We respond quickly and immediately begin building a strategic defense.
