Braxton Taylor
Army investigators are still searching for 31 M17 pistols that disappeared from Fort Moore, Georgia, earlier this year, but the case has grown, with additional equipment now reported missing from the same facility.
The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division, or CID, recently announced a $15,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the missing pistols, along with two sets of night vision goggles and one AN/PAS-13D Thermal Weapon Sight. A base spokesperson confirmed that the gear is missing.
“Army CID is actively seeking any information relevant to the loss of the M17 pistols, ENVGs and thermal optic,” a news release from the service said.
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The pistols were first reported missing May 16, though investigators believe they may have vanished as early as March. They were last accounted for at the Crescenz Consolidated Equipment Pool, a central armory on the base. Meanwhile, CID says the night vision goggles and thermal optic were lost sometime between August and October of this year.
Crescenz serves as an armory and storage facility for much of Fort Moore’s weapons and other training gear. It’s managed by Vectrus, usually referred to as V2X, a civilian contractor. It’s unclear whether any employee has been disciplined despite at least three instances of combat gear going missing.
After the pistols disappeared, service officials and civilian contractors examined security protocols and reduced access to the facility, two Army officials with direct knowledge of the situation told Military.com. Additional surveillance and inventory equipment is also set to be installed.
Vectrus did not immediately respond to a request for comment ahead of publication.
The M17, a 9 mm Sig Sauer pistol with a 17-round magazine, has served as the Defense Department’s standard-issue sidearm since 2017, replacing the M9 Beretta. The civilian version, the P320-M17, retails for approximately $650.
The Enhanced Night Vision Goggles are standard equipment for soldiers operating in low-light conditions. The AN/PAS 13D thermal optic, introduced in 1998, provides thermal imaging for weapon systems such as the M240B machine gun and M2 Browning .50-caliber machine gun, allowing users to detect heat signatures of vehicles or personnel in combat.
The case highlights long-standing concerns about the military’s ability to safeguard its arsenal. A 2021 investigation by The Associated Press found that at least 1,900 firearms vanished from military inventory during the 2010s, with some later linked to crimes. Missing weapons have been attributed to a range of security failures, from surveillance blind spots to negligence in recordkeeping.
Fort Moore, previously known as Fort Benning, is the epicenter of the Army’s ground combat training. The base hosts basic training for infantry, cavalry scouts and tankers — as well as the legendary Ranger School.
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