An OSI investigation at Ellsworth Air Force Base can threaten the career and freedom of any airman serving at the home of the B-1B Lancer fleet. Located about 10 miles northeast of Rapid City, South Dakota, in the shadow of the Black Hills, Ellsworth is home to the 28th Bomb Wing, one of only two B-1B Lancer wings in the United States Air Force. Assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command’s Eighth Air Force, the 28th Bomb Wing operates two combat squadrons of B-1B strategic bombers and supports MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft operations. The B-1B carries the largest payload of any aircraft in the bomber fleet and can deliver precision munitions across intercontinental distances. Airmen who fly, maintain, and support that mission face unique legal exposure, and a UCMJ charge at Ellsworth demands a military defense attorney who understands the pressure of serving at a bomber installation.
Joseph L. Jordan, attorney at law, is a former Army JAG officer who has represented more than 1,000 service members and tried over 250 courts-martial. With over 20 years of military law experience, he has been featured on Fox News, ABC, Anderson Cooper, and in the Wall Street Journal.
Call (888) 367-9489 for a free, confidential consultation. Available 24/7.
The B-1B Lancer is a long-range, supersonic conventional bomber capable of carrying the largest payload of any aircraft in the Air Force inventory. The 28th Bomb Wing operates the 34th Bomb Squadron and the 37th Bomb Squadron, both flying the B-1B, and the wing has deployed aircraft to nearly every major conflict since the bomber arrived at Ellsworth in 1987. During Operation Allied Force in 1999, Ellsworth B-1Bs flew 100 combat missions over Kosovo. After September 11, 2001, the wing’s bombers deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and flew a disproportionate share of strike sorties in Afghanistan. The wing also executed the first operational B-1 global strike mission launched from the continental United States during Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya.
That operational tempo creates a demanding environment. Aircrew, weapons system officers, and maintenance personnel work long hours around complex weapons systems, often under deployment cycles that strain personal relationships and increase the risk of off-duty incidents. When an allegation surfaces, whether related to misconduct, substance use, or a domestic dispute, the consequences extend beyond the UCMJ courtroom. Many airmen at Ellsworth hold security clearances essential to the bomber mission, and some serve in positions covered by the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP). A pending investigation or formal charge can trigger PRP decertification, immediate removal from duties, and the beginning of administrative separation processing, all before any finding of guilt. An attorney who understands how PRP interacts with UCMJ proceedings can fight on both fronts simultaneously.
Ellsworth sits at the edge of Rapid City, a community of roughly 80,000 people in western South Dakota. The Black Hills region draws millions of visitors annually, but the local population is relatively small. That proximity means off-base incidents in Rapid City, Sturgis, or surrounding communities often come to the attention of base leadership quickly. A DUI arrest on a Saturday night in Rapid City can reach a commander’s desk by Monday morning, and dual jurisdiction between civilian courts and the military justice system creates additional complications.
The geographic isolation of western South Dakota also affects case preparation. Witnesses, forensic experts, and specialized consultants are often located hundreds of miles from Rapid City. A civilian defense attorney with experience handling cases at remote installations understands how to secure the resources needed for an effective defense, regardless of location. Mr. Jordan has represented service members at installations worldwide and brings the same level of preparation to every case.
Ellsworth Air Force Base was established in 1942 as the Rapid City Army Air Base, initially serving as a heavy bomber training facility during World War II. In May 1947, the 28th Bombardment Group relocated to Rapid City after post-war service in Alaska, where the unit had earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for combat operations in the Aleutian Islands and the Kuril Islands. The base was renamed in 1953 in honor of Brigadier General Richard Ellsworth, commander of the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, who was killed when his RB-36 Peacemaker crashed in Newfoundland that year. During the Cold War, Ellsworth served as a Strategic Air Command installation housing both B-52 bombers and Minuteman missiles. The first B-1B Lancer arrived in January 1987, beginning the wing’s transition to the aircraft it operates today. Ellsworth is currently undergoing a major infrastructure transformation in preparation for the arrival of the B-21 Raider, the next-generation stealth bomber that will eventually replace the B-1B fleet.
Airmen at Ellsworth face the full range of UCMJ charges, and the bomber mission adds consequences that extend beyond those at conventional installations:
Sexual assault under Article 120. Sexual assault allegations are investigated and prosecuted with full resources. A military sexual assault defense attorney with court-martial trial experience understands how to defend these cases and protect an airman’s career.
Drug offenses. Drug charges at a bomber installation carry heightened scrutiny given the mission requirements. A positive urinalysis triggers immediate removal from duties and can lead to PRP decertification, criminal charges, and administrative separation.
Domestic violence. The deployment tempo and geographic isolation of western South Dakota can create family pressures. Domestic violence allegations carry criminal penalties and administrative consequences that can follow an airman for life.
DUI and off-base misconduct. Incidents in the Rapid City area can result in both civilian and military charges, creating dual-jurisdiction complications that require experienced defense counsel.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) investigates criminal matters at Ellsworth AFB. Given the installation’s bomber mission and the security clearances held by much of the workforce, OSI investigations at Ellsworth can involve classified information and heightened scrutiny. Airmen who are contacted by OSI should exercise their Article 31 rights and consult with a defense attorney before providing any statement. Investigators may suggest that cooperation will resolve the matter quickly, but statements made without legal counsel become evidence that is among the most difficult to overcome at trial.
Airmen at Ellsworth have access to an Area Defense Counsel (ADC), a qualified military attorney assigned to provide legal representation. A civilian court-martial lawyer provides independent representation outside the chain of command and can devote full resources to a single case. For serious charges that carry potential confinement or a punitive discharge, civilian counsel offers distinct advantages in focus, independence, and trial preparation. Mr. Jordan’s case results reflect many of the outcomes he has achieved for service members at installations worldwide.
Commanders may impose nonjudicial punishment under the Air Force NJP process for lesser offenses. At Ellsworth, NJP can trigger PRP review and possible decertification, in addition to reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, and a permanent record. Separation boards can end a career with a discharge characterization that affects veterans benefits, security clearance eligibility, and future employment.
Bomber aircrew, weapons system officers, intelligence analysts, and RPA operators at Ellsworth hold security clearances essential to their duties. Criminal charges or adverse actions can trigger a clearance review that proceeds on a separate track from the UCMJ case itself. Losing a clearance at a bomber installation effectively ends a career, even if the underlying charges are resolved favorably. Mr. Jordan builds defense strategies that address both the criminal case and the administrative consequences that accompany it.
If you are facing an OSI investigation, court-martial, NJP, or adverse action at Ellsworth AFB, contact Mr. Jordan. Early legal intervention allows for evidence preservation, witness identification, and a comprehensive challenge to the government’s case.
Free consultation. Confidential. No obligation. Call or text (888) 367-9489.
What should I do if OSI contacts me at Ellsworth AFB?
Invoke your Article 31 rights immediately. You have the right to remain silent and to speak with a defense attorney before making any statement to investigators. Do not provide a written or recorded statement without legal counsel present.
Can I lose my PRP certification because of a UCMJ allegation?
Yes. A pending investigation, formal charge, or even a credible allegation can trigger PRP decertification and removal from duties involving sensitive weapons systems. An attorney experienced in PRP matters can help you challenge decertification while defending against the underlying charges.
What is the difference between an ADC and a civilian defense attorney?
The Area Defense Counsel is a military attorney who provides free representation. A civilian attorney operates independently of the military chain of command, can dedicate full resources to your case, and brings trial experience from courts-martial across the country. For serious charges, many airmen retain civilian counsel to supplement or replace ADC representation.
Will an off-base arrest in Rapid City affect my military career?
It can. Commanders at Ellsworth routinely learn of off-base incidents through law enforcement coordination, and the military may pursue UCMJ action in addition to any civilian charges. Dual-jurisdiction cases require an attorney who understands both systems.
