Los Angeles Air Force Base Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry at Los Angeles Air Force Base used to assess alleged misconduct; while non‑criminal, it can still jeopardize a service member’s career and may escalate into reprimands, separation proceedings, or even court‑martial. Gonzalez & Waddington provide defense guidance and can be reached at 1-800-921-8607.
Watch the criminal defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington break down how they defend criminal cases and service members worldwide against Federal Charges, Florida State Charges, UCMJ allegations, CID/NCIS/OSI investigations, court-martials, Article 120 cases, administrative separations, and GOMORs. If you’re under investigation or facing charges, this video explains what your rights are and how experienced criminal defense lawyers can make the difference.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges or a criminal investigation by federal authorities, the military, or the State of Florida, early defense matters. Gonzalez & Waddington provide disciplined, trial-focused criminal defense for high-stakes cases involving serious allegations and complex evidence. To speak with experienced criminal defense lawyers and get confidential guidance, call 1-800-921-8607 or text 954-909-7407 to request a no-cost, confidential consultation.
Administrative separation can occur without the need for a court‑martial because it is a non‑criminal process focused on service suitability. The Air Force may initiate separation based on performance, conduct, or other regulatory grounds. This process is handled through administrative channels at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative hearing that determines whether a service member should be retained. Nonjudicial punishment is a disciplinary tool used by commanders to address misconduct without creating a criminal conviction. The two processes serve distinct purposes within the Air Force system.
The burden of proof at a Board of Inquiry is typically a preponderance of the evidence. This means the board evaluates whether the alleged conduct is more likely than not to have occurred. It is a lower standard than used in criminal court proceedings.
A Board of Inquiry generally consists of three impartial commissioned officers. They are selected to review the evidence and make findings related to the case. Members are expected to have no conflict of interest with the service member involved.
The board may review documents, reports, records, and witness testimony relevant to the case. Both the government and the service member have the opportunity to present materials. The board evaluates all admissible information before making its findings.
A Board of Inquiry may examine whether a service member is eligible to retire based on the circumstances under review. Decisions can influence retirement status, pay, or benefits depending on the findings. The process considers Air Force regulations and service history.
Discharge characterization is determined by the service member’s overall duty performance, conduct, and the nature of the issues reviewed by the board. The board’s findings and recommendations contribute to the final characterization. Regulations outline the criteria for each possible classification.
Service members may have civilian counsel represent them during a Board of Inquiry. Civilian lawyers can participate alongside any assigned military counsel. Their involvement must comply with Air Force procedures and installation access requirements at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
Los Angeles Air Force Base sits in El Segundo, California, within the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. It is bordered by coastal communities such as Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, giving it a distinct urban–coastal setting. The proximity to major aerospace industries shapes the base’s operational relevance.
The base is embedded in a dense civilian corridor known for aerospace innovation and commercial space activity. This integration fosters close coordination with defense contractors and research institutions. The setting also supports rapid access to regional transportation networks.
The installation is operated primarily by the United States Space Force, which assumed key functions previously held by the Air Force. It hosts mission elements tied to space operations, acquisition, and systems development. These functions influence the base’s strategic importance on the West Coast.
The base supports national space programs through oversight of satellite systems, launch support, and space-related command functions. Its units manage advanced technologies that underpin global communications and defense capabilities. This mission makes the base a central hub for space readiness activities.
The population includes active-duty Space Force Guardians, Air Force personnel, and specialized civilian employees. Many serve in engineering, acquisition, testing, and command roles rather than traditional field or aviation duties. The workforce reflects the installation’s technical and program‑focused environment.
Operations follow a high-tempo schedule tied to satellite programs, launch timelines, and developmental testing cycles. Rotational travel to launch sites and partner facilities is common. This environment creates steady mission demands throughout the year.
Personnel assigned to or transiting through the base may encounter UCMJ actions ranging from investigations to administrative proceedings. The technical mission and close coordination with external agencies can create unique oversight and reporting requirements. These factors shape how military justice matters unfold on-site.
The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Los Angeles Air Force Base. Their work spans cases involving UCMJ proceedings arising from the installation’s operational setting. Representation extends to both assigned personnel and those temporarily supporting missions.
Los Angeles Air Force Base is located in El Segundo, California, within the heart of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Positioned just south of Los Angeles International Airport and adjacent to coastal communities such as Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Hawthorne, the installation sits in a densely developed urban corridor with strong aerospace and defense industry roots. The surrounding region experiences a mild coastal climate, which supports year-round operations and collaboration with nearby commercial space and technology partners. Its location matter operationally because it places the base at the center of the nation’s civilian and military space enterprise, enabling close coordination with defense contractors, research institutions, and federal agencies operating throughout Southern California.
Los Angeles Air Force Base serves as the headquarters of the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command, making it one of the most significant hubs for space acquisition, developmental testing, and system sustainment across the Department of Defense. While it has no flight line or traditional aviation mission, the installation houses key command-level personnel, engineering teams, and specialized units responsible for developing and fielding space-based capabilities that support global operations. The base plays a central role in delivering satellite systems, communications architectures, launch support, and advanced space technologies critical to national security.
The active duty population at Los Angeles Air Force Base is composed primarily of Space Force Guardians and Air Force personnel, along with a substantial civilian and contractor workforce. Activity on the installation centers on program management, research oversight, testing coordination, and strategic planning rather than large-scale troop movements. Although not a training base in the conventional sense, it supports rotational teams, acquisition professionals, and mission specialists who regularly coordinate with launch sites, deployed units, and global space operations centers.
Service members assigned to or passing through Los Angeles Air Force Base may encounter UCMJ-related issues tied to investigations, administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, courts-martial, or separation proceedings. The high-security, technology-driven environment can lead to cases involving clearance concerns, cyber conduct, classified information handling, or workplace matters within joint military-civilian teams. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Los Angeles Air Force Base, providing support when legal challenges arise in this unique operational setting.
https://www.losangeles.spaceforce.mil/
The CDI report itself is not always permanently filed, but its findings and resulting actions often become part of the service member’s administrative record.
Yes, CDI results can be used to initiate administrative separation or a Board of Inquiry, even if no criminal charges are filed.
After completion, the Investigating Officer submits a written report with findings and recommendations. The command then decides what action, if any, to take.
Yes, digital evidence such as texts, emails, social media messages, and call logs are commonly reviewed during CDIs.
Yes, a CDI can proceed without live witnesses if sufficient documentary or digital evidence exists. Written statements are often used.
