AFSFC fields new US Air Force-wide handgun

The U.S. Air Force Security Forces Center, in partnership with the Air Force Small Arms Program Office, has begun fielding the new M18 SIG Sauer Modular Handgun System to security forces units as part of the Reconstitute Defender Initiative and its effort to modernize weapon systems and increase warfighter lethality.

The M18 replaces the M9 Beretta, which has been in use formore than 30 years. This new weapons system is also projected to replace theM11-A1 Compact used by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations andthe U.S. Army M15 General Officer pistol used for military working dogtraining. The modular design of the M18 provides improved ergonomics, targetacquisition, reliability and durability to increase shooter lethality.

A key benefit of the M18 is that it can be customized toindividual shooters with small, medium or large handgrips.

“This is going to help shooters with smaller hands. It alsohas a much smoother trigger pull, leading to a more accurate, lethal shooter,”said Staff Sgt. Richard Maner, 37th Training Support Squadron armorynoncommissioned officer in charge at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, who hadan opportunity to test the weapon. “The M18 is a smaller platform weapon, butit gives the shooter more capabilities over the bulkier, larger M9 pistol.”

“The M18 is a leap forward in the right direction formodernizing such a critical piece of personal defense and feels great in thehand. It reinforces the muscle memory instilled through consistent shooting,”said Master Sgt. Casey Ouellette, 341st Military Working Dog Flight Chief JBSan Antonio-Lackland. “It’s more accurate and, with a great set of night sightsand with their high-profile, follow-up shots have become easier than everbefore.”

So far, more than 2,000 M18s have been delivered to JBAndrews, Maryland; the Air Force Gunsmith Shop, Air Education and TrainingCommand Combat Arms Apprentice Course at JB San Antonio-Lackland, Texas; tworegional training centers (Guam and Fort Bliss, Texas); Malmstrom Air ForceBase, Montana; and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. All security forces units are expectedto have their full authorization of M18s by 2020 with the remainder of the AirForce to follow.

“Once all security forces units have been supplied the newweapon, we will supply special warfare Airmen, Guardian Angel/(pararescue)communities, OSI and other high-level users,” said Master Sgt. Shaun Ferguson,AFSFC Small Arms and Light Weapons Requirements program manager. “Aircrewcommunities and other installation personnel will be issued the handgun as wellbased on requirements.”