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.