Yokosuka issues M18 pistols, signaling end of an era for Navy’s Beretta sidearms

[Tony]

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan - U.S. sailors and Japanese security personnel checked out new 9 mm handguns at this base south of Tokyo on Friday morning, ending nearly four decades of service with Beretta M9 pistols.

As part of a servicewide transition, security officers have been training with the SIG Sauer M18 pistol, which is replacing the M9. The Navy adopted the M9 in 1985, according to Yokosuka’s head of security, Lt. Cmdr. Roel Rosalez.