UPAYA PENYIDIK POLISI MILITER ANGKATAN UDARA (POM AU) DALAM MENANGANI TINDAK PIDANA DESERSI YANG DILAKUKAN OLEH ANGGOTA MILITER (TNI AU) (Studi Di Satuan Polisi Militer Angkatan Udara (Satpom AU) Lanud Abdulrachman Saleh)

Desertion is a serious criminal offense within the military that affects the discipline, loyalty, and effectiveness of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU). If left unaddressed, desertion can disrupt unit stability and undermine institutional authority. This study examines the efforts of the Air Force Military Police investigators (POM AU) in handling desertion cases at Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base, as well as the contributing factors behind such offenses. The objective of this research is to identify the causes of desertion and analyze the investigative and preventive measures undertaken by POM AU. The research employs a juridical-empirical method with a qualitative approach, drawing from both primary and secondary data, analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. The first discussion outlines the structure, function, and role of the Air Force Military Police Unit (Satpom AU) at Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base. The second discussion elaborates on the factors contributing to desertion, including economic, psychological, familial, and infidelity-related issues, which interact to create pressure on soldiers. The third discussion analyzes the investigative efforts of POM AU through procedural stages in accordance with military criminal law, as well as preventive measures such as legal education, patrols, and inter-unit coordination. The results indicate that the investigation process complies with legal provisions and integrates both repressive and preventive approaches. However, its effectiveness remains limited due to personnel shortages, lack of supporting facilities, and external factors such as uncooperative family members of the soldiers. The study recommends enhancing the supervision of soldiers’ welfare, strengthening family support, encouraging community participation, and promoting further research to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of desertion within the military environment.