Brayden Lovan Obituary, Death; – The Air Force has identified the airman who was killed due to the discharge of a Sig Sauer M18 pistol as 21-year-old Brayden Lovan from Greenville, Kentucky.
Lovan was on duty at F.E. Warren Air Force Base located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, when he was fatally shot by an M18 pistol.
He served as a remote targeting engagement system operator within the 90th Security Forces Group, 90 Security Forces Squadron. According to his obituary, he was working inside the weapons storage area while on duty in Wyoming.
Air Force suspends use of M18 pistols following the airman’s death.
Individuals who knew Lovan described him to local news outlets as an enthusiastic athlete and a young man with an outstanding sense of duty.
“He was such a selfless kid … it didn’t matter, I could ask Brayden to do just about anything for our team, and it was always, ‘Yes, sir.’ And the job would get done,” stated his former basketball coach Aaron Morris to Kentucky’s 14 News.
The tragic death of Lovan has prompted Air Force Global Strike Command to prohibit the use of M18 handguns during an ongoing investigation and safety inspection of the firearm.
A leaked memo dated July 21 requested that the M18 be immediately withdrawn from all operational and training activities and replaced with the M-4 rifle.
Details regarding the incident have not been disclosed and remain unclear.
The M18 is one of two handgun models based on Sig Sauer’s P320 that are utilized as standard sidearms across all military branches. Over the years, the P320 has faced numerous allegations of accidental discharges, resulting in various lawsuits and bans by law enforcement agencies. Sig Sauer has denied these allegations.
In response to Lovan’s death, Sig Sauer posted a statement on social media, saying it would assist both the Air Force and the Army in answering questions about the incident.
“Our hearts are with the service members and families impacted by the recent reported events at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base. We proactively offered assistance to the U.S. military as they investigate the incident and remain willing to help in furtherance of the ongoing inquiry,” read Sig Sauer’s post on Facebook.
“We have absolute confidence in the military’s ability to conduct a thorough investigation and are working with the Air Force and Army to answer any of their questions.”
