F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Lt. Gen. Charles Plummer, Judge Advocate General of the Air and Space Force, visited legal offices on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, May 13-14, 2024.
During the tour, Plummer received briefings from the legal teams on base, reviewing their readiness and capabilities. This allowed him a chance to view the challenges faced by those legal teams, in order to properly address them in the future, including the expansion of legal teams' responsibilities.
"One point of discussion that got me excited was our discussion about manning and the need to reevaluate our numbers based on the work we do now in the legal office that is so much broader than it was 20-30 years ago," said Capt. Brendan Walle, Military Justice Chief with 90th Missile Wing staff judge advocate office.
Plummer’s visit began at the 90th Missile Wing’s JAG Corps office, where each member of the team briefed him on different aspects of the office’s workflow. He was given a detailed look at statistics involving cases, discharges and other judicial actions taken on-base over the past few years. Legal Office personnel were enthusiastic about the visit and its impact.
"I think it had a profound impact on all the members of the office, along with the commanders Lt. Gen. Plummer visited with," said Walle. "It was a great opportunity to open a dialogue and have commanders give candid thoughts on our office that we can learn from, and it also allowed us to recognize some of our personnel who are working hard every day to help the mission run smoothly."
Plummer went on to visit F.E. Warren’s Area Defense Counsel, where he received a similar briefing on the office’s state. Reviewing the office’s funding, resources, and personnel, informed him of the challenges and requirements faced by the team.
“It’s always a good day when we’re able to demonstrate what goes on here,” said Capt. William Barton, Area Defense Counsel. “This job is critical to the fairness with which we treat our Airmen and it’s important that continues to be seen. Our mission is to ensure justice for all.”
Plummer was also introduced to the ADC’s volunteers. While not having joined the Air Force as members of a legal team, these volunteers stepped up to ensure that the office would always remain open, and able to see any Airmen in need, even when Barton was not available.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the team,” said Barton. “They were volunteers, but throughout the visit, they carried themselves with the professionalism I would expect from anyone assigned to the ADC.”
The two day tour concluded in the courtroom, where Plummer held an open forum with those legal teams, to answer any questions and provide feedback. The discussion ranged from education opportunities, to future tools and techniques for use in the legal career field. To close out the visit, he offered the teams congratulations as they were presented with a number of awards.