Coverage dated July 22, 2025 to July 23, 2025

Air Force suspends use of M18 pistols after airman’s death

Headline from Military Times

A leaked memo called for the M18 to be pulled from use “for all operational and training activities” immediately and replaced by the M-4 rifle.

Military Times's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Read the reports

Reports & sources

8 articles, oldest first.

Military.com
Air Force Command Pauses Use of M18 Handguns After Security Airman's Death (opens Military.com)
Published Jul 22, 2025
Military.com's feed description
The active-duty Security Forces airman, assigned to the base's 90th Security Forces Squadron, "died on base while on duty" in the early morning hours Sunday, a news release from the base said.
Just the News
Air Force Global Strike Command pulls use of the M18 modular handgun system amid safety probe (opens Just the News)
Published Jul 22, 2025
Just the News's feed description
The Air Force troops impacted by the directive will be using the M4 rifle during the safety investigation, which comes after the death of a service member in Wyoming over the weekend.
Military Times
Air Force suspends use of M18 pistols after airman’s death (opens Military Times)
Published Jul 23, 2025
Military Times's feed description
A leaked memo called for the M18 to be pulled from use “for all operational and training activities” immediately and replaced by the M-4 rifle.
Bangor Daily News
Air Force command pauses M18 pistol use after airman's death at Wyoming base (opens Bangor Daily News)
Published Jul 23, 2025
Bangor Daily News's feed description
The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command has paused the use of a handgun following the death of a Security Forces airman at a base in Wyoming.The use of
AmmoLand Shooting Sports News
Air Force Pauses Use of M18 Handgun After Airman Killed (opens AmmoLand Shooting Sports News)
Published Jul 23, 2025
AmmoLand Shooting Sports News's feed description
Air Force Global Strike Command has temporarily paused all Sig Sauer M18 Modular Handgun Systems (MHS) operations after a young female Airman died after being shot by an alleged firearm malfunction.
MyNorthwest
Air Force pauses M18 pistol use after airman's death at Wyoming base (opens MyNorthwest)
Published Jul 23, 2025
MyNorthwest's feed description
The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command has paused the use of a handgun following the death of a Security Forces airman at a base in Wyoming.
UPI
Air Force pauses use of M18 pistol after deadly incident (opens UPI)
Published Jul 23, 2025
UPI's feed description
Airforce Global Strike Command prompts limiting the usage of M18 after a deadly incident on Sunday at a Wyoming Air Force Base.
Washington Examiner
Air Force command pauses use of M18 pistol after airman's death (opens Washington Examiner)
Published Jul 23, 2025
Washington Examiner's feed description
The Air Force Global Strike Command ordered a pause the use of the M18 pistol after a fatal incident at a Wyoming Air Force base raised concerns.