What would happen to a member of the Austrian air force, if he flew over refugees with an airplane?
<p>I'm writing a story about a pilot in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austrian_Air_Force" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Austrian air force</a>, who uses his Eurofighter jet to prevent illegal immigrants from going over the border by flying over them at a low altitude. <a href="https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/35771/is-it-correct-that-a-jet-fighter-can-be-used-as-a-non-lethal-sonic-weapon">As far as I know</a> this creates noise and could scare the people off (prevent them from illegally entering Austria). Most of the time, the effects of this are non-lethal. There are controversial views on whether or not such maneuvers cause permanent damage to the ears.</p>

<p>What legal consequences would this pilot face, if he</p>

<ol>
<li>used a military aircraft (without weapons) in the way discussed above</li>
<li>without asking permission of his superiors</li>
</ol>

<p>Let's assume he didn't fly over the border, so there is no international conflict and there are no casualties among the people he flew over. After the act he returns to his airport and the aircraft is not damaged.</p>

<p>Would such person get imprisoned? If yes, what can he be charged with?</p>

<p>Military officers who violate laws in their official capacity are typically subject only to military discipline.  Which in western countries is, AFAIK, far more demanding and punitive than any non-military criminal or civil law.</p>

<p>I am only passingly familiar with U.S. martial courts, but enough so to know that the punishment for what you describe would be very fact- and circumstance-specific.  It could be as little as a verbal reprimand to as much as a dishonorable discharge and military imprisonment.</p>

<p>You appear to be ignorant of details that would weigh heavily on such a disciplinary hearing.  For example, supersonic flight outside of cleared airspace is a very serious offense.  Violating orders is a much bigger deal than exercising bad judgement.  So while dipping a little outside of an approved flight envelope might be problematic, making low-altitude supersonic passes while a superior is screaming over the radio would be a vastly different matter. </p>

military austria