Soldier of Fortune Magazine The Journal of Professional Adventurers
by Susan Katz Keating
The U.S. Air Force’s Global Strike Command has ordered all units under its command to immediately cease use of the M18 Modular Handgun System, citing an ongoing safety investigation. The directive follows the death of an Airman while on duty Sunday morning, an Air Force official confirmed.
The active duty Airman was assigned to the 90th Security Forces Squadron, 90th Missile Wing, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, according to Col. Terry Holmes, the Wing commander. Colonel Holmes confirmed the incident in a statement, but gave no additional details.
The directive from Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, who heads up Global Strike Command, was issued in a memo dated July 21. The memo is legitimate, an Air Force official confirmed to Soldier of Fortune. It applies to all personnel throughout the command.
“Effective immediately, all personnel in AFGSC will pause use of the MI8 MHS for all operational and training activities until further notice,” Bussiere wrote. “This pause will remain in place until completion of ongoing AFOSI and Safety investigations into a recent incident at F.E. Warren AFB.”
The M18 – a variant of the Sig Sauer M17 pistol – is part of the military’s broader transition from the M9 Beretta. It has been standard issue for many security personnel guarding America’s nuclear arsenal. The weapon also is heavily used by U.S. Army units.
The directive comes in the wake of reports from other users who have noted issues with the pistol’s striker or drop safety, though no official connection has been made.
Air Force officials say an investigation is underway, and units are being advised to use alternate weapons systems for mission readiness.
“Wing Commanders and FCs will arm personnel with the M4 rifle in place of the MI8,” Bussiere wrote.
A representative from SIg Sauer could not immediately be reached for comment.
