The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command has suspended the use of Sig Sauer M18 pistols following the death of an airman at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming on July 20.
According to a statement from the 90th Missile Wing, the deceased service member was actively serving in the 90th Security Forces Squadron. The airman’s name and the official cause of death have not yet been released.
In the wake of the incident, the Air Force has initiated an investigation led by the Office of Special Investigations and is conducting safety inspections on the M18 handgun. As a precautionary measure, the pistol has been withdrawn from service during the ongoing inquiry.
A leaked internal memo dated July 21 ordered the immediate removal of the M18 pistol from all operational and training use, instructing that M4 rifles be used instead until further notice. It also mandates a full inspection of all M18 pistols assigned to each unit by Combat Arms specialists.
AFGSC spokesperson Charles Hoffman confirmed the authenticity of the memo and emphasized that the suspension is in place “out of an abundance of caution” to ensure the safety of Air Force personnel.
The M18 is one of two military versions of the Sig Sauer P320, adopted in 2017 as the standard sidearm across all branches of the U.S. military. While the P320 has faced multiple claims over accidental discharges and alleged design flaws, Sig Sauer has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
