Airman’s Death Prompts Investigation into Safety of M18 Pistols

The Air Force has launched an investigation into whether the pistol carried by its security forces is safe, after 21-year-old Airman Brayden Tyriq Lovan died July 20 at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, in an incident involving a discharged firearm, the service said July 24.

Following the incident, Air Force Global Strike Command announced it would inspect all Sig Sauer M18 handguns for “immediate safety concerns” and would ban troops from using the weapon until further notice. The command oversees the Air Force’s nuclear weapons enterprise as well as its bomber fleets.

Lovan, an active-duty Airman assigned to the 90th Security Forces Squadron, died while on duty around 1:30 a.m., the service said in a release. The Greenville, Kentucky, native joined the Air Force in November 2023 and arrived at Warren, his first assignment, the following May.

An online obituary described Lovan as a “remote targeting engagement system operator,” a job running the security towers overlooking the nuclear missile facilities at Warren, who loved four-wheeling and other outdoor activities with friends. Muhlenberg County High School in Kentucky, where Lovan was a member of the football, basketball, and track-and-field teams, described the 2022 graduate as a “standout” who brought “great talent and skill to our athletic program.”

“Our hearts are heavy with the loss of Airman Lovan,” 90th Security Forces Group Commander Col. Jeremy Sheppard said in the release. “We mourn the loss of a valued defender, teammate and friend. Our focus remains on supporting the family and team during this incredibly difficult time.”

The Air Force said it hasn’t yet determined the nature of the gunshot, describing it as an isolated incident that does not pose a threat to the base or community.

The service purchased some 125,000 M18s from Sig Sauer for $22 million in 2020 to replace the M9 pistol it had used since 1985. Sig, which manufactures the M18 for all branches of the U.S. military, notes on its website that the firearm is equipped with a manual safety.

“A manual safety—when engaged—is designed to mechanically prevent the firearm from discharging when the trigger is pressed, either intentionally or unintentionally,” the company said. “It is possible for the trigger to be unintentionally pressed even under normal handling circumstances.”

“A manual safety is designed to augment, not replace, safe firearm handling practices,” Sig Sauer added. “You must ensure that the trigger is not contacted in any circumstance other than when you intend to fire the pistol, particularly if you elect to carry your pistol with a round in the chamber. If you have a round in the chamber and the trigger is pressed to the rear, the pistol will fire, absent an engaged manual safety.”

Global Strike is working with security forces officials to review the M18 and “develop appropriate corrective measures,” the Air Force release said. Airmen will use the M4 rifle for base security while the investigation is underway.