RAF Officer sacked for being drunk with gun at embassy party

[ORAC]

https://www.firstpost.com/world/british-air-force-officer-sacked-jailed-for-being-found-drunk-with-loaded-gun-at-kings-75th-birthday-celebration-13517632.html

British Air Force officer sacked, jailed for being found drunk with loaded gun at King's 75th birthday celebration

In a recent incident, Flight Lieutenant Gregory Gomez, a 32-year-old RAF officer, faced dismissal and legal consequences after showing up drunk with a loaded pistol at a British embassy event celebrating the King’s 75th birthday.

The situation unfolded when security guards halted Flt Lt Gomez from leaving the embassy in his car due to apparent signs of inebriation. His ‘glassy’ eyes and the discovery of the loaded pistol prompted a call to service personnel.

Commander Matthew Rees, prosecuting at Bulford Military Court, disclosed that the incident occurred on July 5 during Flt Lt Gomez’s operational deployment. The RAF officer, serving as his unit’s operation officer, attended the embassy celebration.

Upon attempting to exit the embassy premises at around 11 pm, civilian security staff detained him, suspecting intoxication. Flt Lt Gomez denied possession of a firearm initially but later admitted to having a loaded pistol when confronted by his commanding officer.

The subsequent investigation revealed that Flt Lt Gomez had been drinking heavily, consuming gin and tonics from a pint glass. The commanding officer observed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and a noticeable alcohol odor. Despite this, Flt Lt Gomez had control of both a vehicle and a loaded firearm, posing a serious risk to others.

During the sentencing, Judge Advocate Darren Reed emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that even junior service members are aware of the dangers of mixing alcohol with lethal weapons. Flt Lt Gomez received a nine-month suspended prison sentence, a nine-month disqualification from driving, and dismissal from the RAF after admitting to two charges of contravening standard orders.

In his defense, Flt Lt Gomez expressed remorse through his representative, Fiona Edington, highlighting his determination to learn from the incident. Despite the plea for compassion based on his nine years of service, the judge emphasized the serious risk created by the officer’s actions, leading to the decision to dismiss him from the RAF.

[hunterboy]

Which country was the embassy in?

[Mogwi]

Which country was the embassy in?

Wudyan?

Mog

[Mogwi]

When I was serving in Norn Iron some 50(!) years ago, I used to pack a “personal protector” Colt .38 auto in a shoulder holster under my jacket. One evening, in the mess at Aldergrove, we had a fine party with a number of local ladies. Towards the end of the party, one of said ladies dropped a handkerchief on the floor and I, being a gentleman, bent down to pick it up for her. At this stage, my personal protector fell out (steady!) with a loud clunk onto the floor at her feet. The room seemed to fall silent for a few seconds as I mumbled my apology and re-seated my piece.

The lady in question was an RUC constable and thought it was hilarious but I did modify the holster with some Velcro, to avoid repetitions.

Heady days!

Mog

[higthepig]

wudyan?
:)
​​​​​​​

[charliegolf]

Drunk with a gun. Couldn't get a date eh.

CG

[BEagle]

The commanding officer observed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and a noticeable alcohol odor.

Which doesn't say much for the CO!

[teeteringhead]

Mog

remember it well! (there goes what remains of the incognito!)

[Timelord]

So, the pistol was in a back pack. I doubt that he was toting a back pack during an embassy cocktail party so did he leave it in the cloakroom or in his car?

[Nil_Drift]

Wudyan? Very clever, Mog.

Forced me to use Google!

[m0nkfish]

https://www.firstpost.com/world/british-air-force-officer-sacked-jailed-for-being-found-drunk-with-loaded-gun-at-kings-75th-birthday-celebration-13517632.html

British Air Force officer sacked, jailed for being found drunk with loaded gun at King's 75th birthday celebration

In a recent incident, Flight Lieutenant Gregory Gomez, a 32-year-old RAF officer, faced dismissal and legal consequences after showing up drunk with a loaded pistol at a British embassy event celebrating the King’s 75th birthday.

The situation unfolded when security guards halted Flt Lt Gomez from leaving the embassy in his car due to apparent signs of inebriation. His ‘glassy’ eyes and the discovery of the loaded pistol prompted a call to service personnel.

Commander Matthew Rees, prosecuting at Bulford Military Court, disclosed that the incident occurred on July 5 during Flt Lt Gomez’s operational deployment. The RAF officer, serving as his unit’s operation officer, attended the embassy celebration.

Upon attempting to exit the embassy premises at around 11 pm, civilian security staff detained him, suspecting intoxication. Flt Lt Gomez denied possession of a firearm initially but later admitted to having a loaded pistol when confronted by his commanding officer.

The subsequent investigation revealed that Flt Lt Gomez had been drinking heavily, consuming gin and tonics from a pint glass. The commanding officer observed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and a noticeable alcohol odor. Despite this, Flt Lt Gomez had control of both a vehicle and a loaded firearm, posing a serious risk to others.

During the sentencing, Judge Advocate Darren Reed emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that even junior service members are aware of the dangers of mixing alcohol with lethal weapons. Flt Lt Gomez received a nine-month suspended prison sentence, a nine-month disqualification from driving, and dismissal from the RAF after admitting to two charges of contravening standard orders.

In his defense, Flt Lt Gomez expressed remorse through his representative, Fiona Edington, highlighting his determination to learn from the incident. Despite the plea for compassion based on his nine years of service, the judge emphasized the serious risk created by the officer’s actions, leading to the decision to dismiss him from the RAF.

A stupid thing to do, but based on the report I think loosing his job was excessive. Doesn't sound like anyone was harmed, he didn't actually get the vehicle out of the embassy car park and onto public roads, and appears to have had a 9 year unblemished record.

Back in the day this kind of thing could have been dealt with effectively by the CO without ending a career.

[Rigga]

So, not just a jolly Occifer’s jape in the Mess then?
2 days detention in the Mess bar and a slapped wrist….

[langleybaston]

Strange ............. some unasked or unanswered questions.

Was it a service firearm, was it issued to him, was he ordered to go tooled up "just in case".

Did he get as far as putting the ignition key in the car?

Clearly drunk, clearly foolish, but there may be extenuating circumstances.

RAF discipline [outsider speaking] seems to swing wildly from under-reacting to over-reacting these days.

Back to lurking.

[isaneng]

Ok, before we miss the important considerations behind the trivia.
Pint glass of Gin and Tonics?
Multiple glasses poured into a single container?
Or a pint glass of Gins and Tonic??

Sorry, I'll get my coat....

[Wensleydale]

Ok, before we miss the important considerations behind the trivia.
Pint glass of Gin and Tonics?
Multiple glasses poured into a single container?
Or a pint glass of Gins and Tonic??

Sorry, I'll get my coat....

I have seen someone drink a yard of gin and tonic......it was a while ago, in the days when not partaking in happy hour activities was noted and marked down in your ACR. Times have changed.

[Big Pistons Forever]

Flt Lt Gomez has ruined his life. With no job, a criminal record, and skills that will be useless in the civil aviation world, it is hard to see much of a future for this person. He is obviously responsible for his predicament but I find it hard to believe that the fact that guy had a problem was not evident to his squadron mates and immediate superiors.

During my time serving I was brought in to investigate a similar incident in another unit. The bottom line was this incident was a symptom of a profound failure of leadership at his unit. There was ample opportunity to effectively deal with the offender before things went nuclear, but everyone in a position of authority just kept kicking the can down the road instead of dealing with it.

[Mogwi]

In my case, the Mod Plod invited me to lodge my (legally held) personal private weapon in the station armoury. This I duly did - but signed it out whenever I went flying, or (on occasion) drove “ashore”. Never did have to use it in anger though, nor the subsequent 4” barrel, .357 Magnum that I bought to replace it.

Those were the days when you could get a firearms certificate for “personal protection on active service”. Mine gave me permission to purchase and carry “Pistol or revolver; calibre: .22”/.32”/.357”/.38”/.45”/9mm”.

To quote the police officer who helped me fill out the application “Do you think that will cover it?”

Different times then!

Mog

[TheWestCoast]

Mogwi May I ask what you were carrying when you were down south in 1982?

[beamer]

‘Flt Lt Gomez has ruined his life. With no job, a criminal record, and skills that will be useless in the civil aviation world, it is hard to see much of a future for this person ‘

Well, he hasn’t done himself too many favours but to say the chap has ‘ruined his life’ would be a little excessive. I can think of several colleagues who have come up against similar situations and have gone on to lead successful careers both inside and outside aviation. Life goes on if you let it.

[Just This Once...]

Seems odd. I've had a few jobs that required me to be armed at all times and also be expected to socialise with drinks various. I've been to a fair few embassy events where pretty much everyone had a personal protection weapon. I can remember more than one where the MA's wife held a collection of pistols and holsters whilst games were afoot - including one where Sir Malcolm Rifkin was joining in on the fun.

That said, I don't remember an embassy event where they didn't lay on transport or divide you from your car keys should you drive there yourself. The embassy leadership was all too aware that vehicle accidents were the biggest killer of personnel, what ever the military/criminal/state-actor risk.

Things may have changed (although I expect not) but British ambassadors were universally brilliant and utterly forgiving of anything, with the exception of lying to them. Confessional conversations were a must!

[Mogwi]

Mogwi May I ask what you were carrying when you were down south in 1982?

Boringly, just the standard issue Browning 9mm parabellum. I had disposed of my Colt on posting to Germany and I didn’t obtain the .357 ‘till after the conflict but it did fit the service-issue shoulder holster. Made very neat, laser-like holes in the Fig11 target at 25m, as opposed to the ragged ones of the 9mm. Quite noisy as well! 😊

Mog

[BEagle]

Before the handgun ban came in, one of my Vulcan squadron chums, with whom 3 of us shared a house, had the relevant authorisations and approvals to own a handgun and was also permitted to import a single pistol. So one day he arrived back from Offutt with his new acquisiton. A 6" barrel Colt Python .357 Magnum! He also made his own ammunition.

He took it to the range one day and I joined him and had a go with it. I concur with Mog - that piece of hand held artillery makes a sizeable hole in the standard Figure 11 target!

[Big Pistons Forever]

‘Flt Lt Gomez has ruined his life. With no job, a criminal record, and skills that will be useless in the civil aviation world, it is hard to see much of a future for this person ‘

Well, he hasn’t done himself too many favours but to say the chap has ‘ruined his life’ would be a little excessive. I can think of several colleagues who have come up against similar situations and have gone on to lead successful careers both inside and outside aviation. Life goes on if you let it.

I can't see any civil aviation company touching him with a 10 foot poll. He is going to have to start over in an entirely new career, but many professional accreditations will not allow members with a criminal conviction and he would be ineligible for almost all civil service positions, in Canada at least. Perhaps it is different in the UK but in any case he has a steep hill to climb to regain his former salary and benefits.

[Corporal Clott]

Sifting the London Gazette, looks like he started life as a Rock Ape Officer and then went to Air Ops.

[Atlasisrubbish]

I can't see any civil aviation company touching him with a 10 foot poll. He is going to have to start over in an entirely new career, but many professional accreditations will not allow members with a criminal conviction and he would be ineligible for almost all civil service positions, in Canada at least. Perhaps it is different in the UK but in any case he has a steep hill to climb to regain his former salary and benefits.
What if he’s not a pilot or aircrew? I don’t think his life is ruined, he just needs a hand to start again.

[fdr]

Boringly, just the standard issue Browning 9mm parabellum. I had disposed of my Colt on posting to Germany and I didn’t obtain the .357 ‘till after the conflict but it did fit the service-issue shoulder holster. Made very neat, laser-like holes in the Fig11 target at 25m, as opposed to the ragged ones of the 9mm. Quite noisy as well! 😊

Mog


That hole in the tail wasn't from your .357 Mag, thats for sure! @ 400Kts, that hole was around 0.055 seconds from being uncomfortable to your room with a view.

[Hueymeister]

So which country did this occur...Wudyan is a reference to Vigil?

[Mogwi]

That hole in the tail wasn't from your .357 Mag, thats for sure! @ 400Kts, that hole was around 0.055 seconds from being uncomfortable to your room with a view.

Actually, that round came in about from c 10 degrees left of the nose, so passed uncomfortable close to the pink bits. It also had about 30 of its mates following it and proceeding it every second. Doesn’t bear detailed thought really.

Mog

[212man]

So which country did this occur...Wudyan is a reference to Vigil?
According to other news reports, the court was not told of the location (or it was not made public). The amusing Vigil reference is because the news report quoted in the OP, says he was a "British Air Force officer"