F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming (Agencies) July 25, 2025 — The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) has suspended the use of Sig Sauer M18 pistols across its units following the July 20 death of an active-duty airman at F.E. Warren Air Force Base. The airman, assigned to the 90th Security Forces Squadron, died while on duty in an incident involving the M18 sidearm. The Air Force has withheld the airman’s identity and specific cause of death pending investigation.
The decision to pull the M18 from operational and training use was formalized in a July 21 memo issued by AFGSC Commander Gen. Thomas Bussiere. The directive mandates immediate replacement of the M18 with M4 rifles and calls for 100% inspections of all M18 systems by Combat Arms personnel.
AFGSC spokesperson Charles Hoffman confirmed the memo’s authenticity and emphasized that the suspension is a precautionary measure. “Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety and security of our personnel, the pause will remain in place pending the completion of comprehensive investigations by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the AFGSC Safety office,” Hoffman stated.
The incident has reignited scrutiny over the Sig Sauer P320 platform, which includes both the M18 and M17 variants. Adopted by the U.S. military in 2017 as part of the Modular Handgun System, the P320 has faced numerous allegations of unintentional discharges, including lawsuits from law enforcement officers and civilians.
Sig Sauer has consistently denied claims of design flaws. In a March 7 statement, the company asserted, “The P320 CANNOT, under any circumstances, discharge without a trigger pull — that is a fact. The allegations against the P320 are nothing more than individuals seeking to profit or avoid personal responsibility.”
Despite the manufacturer’s defense, the P320 has been removed from service by several agencies, including the Dallas and Milwaukee Police Departments, Philadelphia transit police, and the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, which banned the pistol from its training facilities.
Most recently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a July 9 memo ordering the discontinuation of all P320 models and initiating a transition to GLOCK 19 MOS pistols equipped with red dot sights and weapon-mounted lights.
While the Air Force has not confirmed whether the M18 pistol discharged unintentionally in the Wyoming incident, leaked reports suggest the weapon may have fired while holstered. The FBI previously investigated similar cases, including a 2024 incident involving a Michigan State Police officer, and concluded that under certain conditions, the P320 could discharge without a trigger pull.
Security Forces personnel across AFGSC bases will now rely on M4 rifles until the investigation concludes and corrective measures are implemented. The pause affects units responsible for safeguarding the nation’s nuclear arsenal, underscoring the gravity of the safety concerns.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as the Air Force releases further findings from its investigation.