Army investigators are searching for 31 missing M17 pistols, two sets of night vision goggles and a thermal weapon sight stolen from Fort Moore, Georgia. The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) has offered a $15,000 reward for credible information leading to the recovery of the stolen items.
The M17 pistols, standard-issue sidearms for U.S. troops, were first reported missing in May, though investigators believe they may have disappeared as early as March. The night vision goggles and thermal optic were last accounted for between August and October. All items were last tracked to the Crescenz Consolidated Equipment Pool, a central armory managed by the civilian contractor Vectrus.
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In response to the disappearances, Fort Moore officials have tightened security protocols, reduced access to the facility and announced plans to install enhanced surveillance systems. However, it remains unclear whether any employees or contractors have been disciplined.
The M17 pistols, introduced as the Army’s standard sidearm in 2017, are required to be inventoried monthly by serial number. The Enhanced Night Vision Goggles and AN/PAS-13D thermal weapon sight are critical tools for low-light and combat operations, underscoring the importance of their recovery.
This incident is not isolated. A 2021 investigation revealed that more than 1,900 firearms went missing from U.S. military inventories over a decade, with some linked to criminal activity.
Fort Moore, formerly known as Fort Benning, serves as a major training hub for the U.S. Army. The base hosts the Infantry and Armor Schools as well as the elite Ranger School, highlighting the significance of maintaining secure facilities.
[Craig Nigrelli]
THE ARMY IS SEARCHING FOR 31 MISSING PISTOLS, NIGHT VISION GOGGLES, AND A THERMAL WEAPON SIGHT THAT DISAPPEARED FROM FORT MOORE, GEORGIA. INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THE GEAR MAY HAVE BEEN TAKEN MONTHS AGO AND ARE NOW OFFERING A $15,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THEIR RECOVERY.
THE M-17 PISTOLS, WHICH ARE STANDARD-ISSUE SIDEARMS FOR U.S. TROOPS — WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO BE INVENTORIED EVERY MONTH –WERE FIRST REPORTED MISSING IN MAY, BUT INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THEY MAY HAVE GONE MISSING AS EARLY AS MARCH.
THE NIGHT VISION GOGGLES AND THERMAL SIGHT WERE LAST ACCOUNTED FOR BETWEEN AUGUST AND OCTOBER.
ALL THE MISSING GEAR WAS LAST TRACKED TO THE CRESCENZ CONSOLIDATED EQUIPMENT POOL, A CENTRAL ARMORY ON THE BASE MANAGED BY A CIVILIAN CONTRACTOR, VECTRUS.
SINCE THE DISAPPEARANCES, FORT MOORE HAS TIGHTENED SECURITY AND REDUCED ACCESS TO THE FACILITY. HOWEVER, IT REMAINS UNCLEAR IF ANY EMPLOYEES OR CONTRACTORS HAVE FACED DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
THIS ISN’T THE FIRST TIME MILITARY WEAPONS HAVE GONE MISSING. A 2021 INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT MORE THAN 1,900 FIREARMS DISAPPEARED FROM U.S. MILITARY INVENTORIES OVER A DECADE, WITH SOME LATER LINKED TO CRIMES.
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