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In a dramatic development at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, two airmen have been court-martialed after admitting they lied about the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of a fellow service member in July.
Airman 1st Class Sarbjot Badesha and Airman 1st Class Matthew Rodriguez both pleaded guilty to making false statements about the death of Airman Brayden Lovan, according to an announcement from the 90th Missile Wing. The court-martial proceedings took place on October 30-31.
During their testimony, both airmen revealed they witnessed Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen point his M18 pistol at Lovan “in a joking manner” before the weapon discharged. They saw Lovan fall to the ground immediately after the shot was fired. All four airmen were members of the 90th Security Forces Group, which is responsible for guarding the nuclear missile base.
What made the incident particularly troubling was the cover-up that followed. According to their testimony, White-Allen instructed his colleagues to fabricate a story about the shooting while emergency responders were still en route. Badesha testified that White-Allen told him: “Here’s the story. Tell them that I slammed my duty belt on the desk, and it went off.” Similarly, Rodriguez was directed to tell emergency personnel that White-Allen’s “holster went off.”
This fabricated narrative of an accidental discharge initially prompted significant action across the Air Force. Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees the service’s nuclear weapons, ordered a temporary halt on the use of the M18 pistol and mandated a comprehensive inspection. Air Combat Command implemented similar measures. The manufacturer, Sig Sauer, even issued a statement defending its P-320 pistol, the model on which the M18 is based, against claims that it could fire without the trigger being pulled.
The truth began to emerge in August when White-Allen was arrested in connection with Lovan’s death, though he was later released. In a tragic turn of events, White-Allen was found dead in his dormitory at the base on October 8. The 90th Missile Wing had previously acknowledged that White-Allen was “under investigation as a subject in relation” to Lovan’s shooting. The recent court-martial proceedings marked the first official confirmation from the Air Force that White-Allen’s weapon was responsible for Lovan’s death. Military authorities are currently investigating White-Allen’s death.
“We are fully dedicated to supporting the families and individuals affected by these tragic events,” said Col. Terry Holmes, commander of the 90th Missile Wing. “Our focus is on ensuring that justice is served and that every aspect of this case is thoroughly examined.”
The court-martial resulted in significant penalties for both airmen involved in the cover-up. Badesha received a 30-day confinement sentence, forfeiture of $1,545 in pay, and demotion to the lowest enlisted rank (E-1). Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 days of confinement plus 15 days restriction to base, ordered to forfeit $500, and demoted to E-2.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, which has experienced four deaths in as many months, ending with White-Allen’s death in October. In response to these incidents, the 90th Security Forces Group’s leadership conducted a series of all-call meetings with the 1,400-person unit. These sessions not only addressed the deaths but also emphasized “accountability, professionalism, and getting back to the basics,” according to statements made to Task & Purpose.
The fatal shooting and subsequent cover-up have raised serious questions about training, weapons handling protocols, and unit culture within the security forces responsible for guarding America’s nuclear missile facilities. The case highlights the critical importance of weapons safety and honest reporting in high-security military environments, where the consequences of mishandling weapons can be fatal.
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8 Comments
It’s good that the false statements were eventually uncovered, but the fact that it happened at all on a nuclear missile base is very worrying. Transparency and truthfulness must be paramount, especially for those entrusted with such critical national security duties.
The details of this incident are deeply troubling. Weapons safety and truthfulness should be non-negotiable, especially for those responsible for guarding nuclear assets. I hope the court-martial process leads to meaningful reforms to prevent similar events in the future.
This is a troubling incident. Making false statements to cover up a shooting is a serious breach of trust and responsibility. I’m glad the two airmen came forward and pleaded guilty – accountability is important for maintaining discipline and public confidence in the military.
While it’s positive that the two airmen pleaded guilty, the underlying issue of the cover-up attempt is very concerning. Maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency is essential for the military, particularly in sensitive operations. This case warrants a thorough review and strengthening of relevant protocols.
Pleading guilty to making false statements is the right thing to do, but the underlying incident raises serious questions. How can we ensure proper weapons handling and responsible decision-making on sensitive military facilities like this? Rigorous training and accountability protocols seem essential.
This is a disturbing case that underscores the importance of a strong military justice system. While the guilty pleas are a step in the right direction, I hope the court-martial proceedings examine all the factors that led to this tragic event and cover-up attempt.
The cover-up attempt by the airman who discharged the weapon is very concerning. Fabricating a story in an emergency situation like this is unacceptable and undermines the integrity of the armed forces. I hope the legal process results in appropriate consequences.
This case underscores the critical importance of military discipline and accountability. Falsifying information about a shooting, especially on a nuclear missile base, is a severe breach of trust. The guilty pleas are a step in the right direction, but the wider implications must be carefully examined.