Court martial concludes

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katherine Windish
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The Air Force concluded a special court martial March 22 for Airman 1st Class Jason A. Koontz, who was convicted on one count of a Uniform Code of Military Justice violation.

Airman Koontz was convicted of one specification of drunk and disorderly conduct, in violation of Article 34 of the UCMJ. The trial was convened March 21 at the U.S. military courtroom on Aviano AB, where Airman Koontz, belonging to the 31st Munitions Squadron, was stationed.

The Air Force preferred charges against him following evidence that demonstrated Airman Koontz consumed large amounts of hard liquor at a local residence before physically assaulting a person and recklessly driving a vehicle. The case was heard by a U.S. Air Force colonel who presided as the military judge over the trial.
Airman Koontz's sentence consists of a grade reduction to E-2, 30 days confinement, and 30 days of hard labor without confinement. Airman Koontz was 20 at the time of the offense. He has one year and seven months time in service.

"Air Force members are held to the highest standards of personal conduct, both on and off duty. In this case the message is clear - drunk and disorderly conduct will not be tolerated and we will rely on our military justice system to ensure good order and discipline are upheld," said Brig. Gen. C.Q. Brown, Jr., 31st FW commander.

Questions regarding this case should be directed to the 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at DSN: 314-632-7555, commercial line 0434-30-7555 or 31fw.panews@aviano.af.mil.

The Department of Defense's policy requires the following with regard to alcohol and substance abuse programs and resources:

* Education and training on DoD policies for drug and alcohol abuse and/or dependency, and on effective measures to alleviate problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse or dependency.
* Prevention programs designed to deter substance abuse to include drug urinalysis programs (The Drug Demand Reduction Program, a urinalysis testing program, is mandated across the services. A program manager is available at the installation level to oversee urinalysis testing and outreach programs. A similar program exists for DoD civilian personnel.)
* Treatment and/or rehabilitation for military personnel who abuse alcohol.
* Periodic assessment of the extent of drug and alcohol abuse in DoD.

The U.S. Air Force Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program provides education and training for those identified as needing assistance. Service members who abuse alcohol or other drugs may be identified in several different ways: self-identification; medical identification; command referrals; substance-related incidence; and urinalysis testing. For more information about the ADAPT program, call DSN 632-5321.