A lawyer by trade, a JAG when duty calls

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Rose Richeson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  In March, attorney Ken Fredette was conducting a criminal plea with his client in the Ellsworth District Court. Just a month later, Capt. Kenneth Fredette, a Judge Advocate General with the Maine Air National Guard, found himself working side-by-side with the men and women of the 39th Air Base Wing at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

"Many of the skills needed for a civilian lawyer are easily transferable to the military world," said Captain Fredette. "The difference is in the variety of issues and cases."
Captain Fredette jumped on the opportunity to serve his country from abroad when he got the chance.

"They needed a JAG and through the support and leadership of the Maine Air National Guard, we were able to provide the Air Force with a short term asset it needed to complete its mission in Turkey," he said.

With the help of the Ohio ANG, Captain Fredette was able to "hop" a ride on one of the Air Expeditionary Forces rotations to Turkey saving the government a substantial amount.
"We sort of adopted Ken after he caught a ride with us," said Lt. Col. Greg Dibert, deployed to the 385th Air Expeditionary Group at Incirlik AB, from the 178th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Springfield, Ohio. "We eat and exercise together when the work day is done, but more importantly, we have taught him the importance of supporting Ohio in the NCAA basketball tournament."

While Captain Fredette usually finds himself surrounded by criminal defense work, divorce and personal injury cases in Maine, Incirlik's unique bilateral relationship with the Turkish Air Force spawned a whole new area of focus. No longer was he bordering Canada and New Hampshire, but Captain Fredette's new assignment brought him to the Middle East bordering Iraq, Iran and Syria.

Captain Fredette considers his time at Incirlik a rewarding part of being in the military.

"It isn't easy to leave your full-time law practice and clients back home to deploy to Turkey," he said. "Like most Guardsmen, I've missed my sons' ice hockey awards banquet and my daughter's final cheering competition, but many others have sacrificed much more. This is just my way and my family's way to do our part for the Air National Guard, the Air Force and our country. It feels good to be a part of something much bigger than yourself."

"Captain Ken Fredette was essential to our legal office being able to quickly and accurately meet the needs of the wing," said Maj. Jefferson Brown, 39th Air Base Wing staff judge advocate. "In every aspect of his demeanor, work ethic and work production, Ken was a shining example of the strength of the National Guard and the synergy that can be created with the active duty portion of the Air Force."

Captain Fredette returned home to Maine April 1, courtesy of a "hop" with the Pennsylvania ANG's 171st Air Refueling Wing.