An M4 rifle belonging to a D.C. National Guard unit is still at large following a training event at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, in March, according to Army Criminal Investigative Command.

Special agents are looking into the rifle’s disappearance, according to CID spokesman Chris Grey. Politico first reported on the missing weapon Thursday.

“To protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, no further information will be released at this time,” Grey told Military Times, declining to confirm when special agents interviewed the Guard unit and whether there were any leads.

The rifle went missing after a March 11 training, Politico reported, and when unit leadership wasn’t able to locate it, CID took over, taking statements this week.

Missing equipment, particularly weapons, can bring military units to a stand-still. If it is discovered that weapons were purposely removed, not to mention intended for illegal use, troops can face serious legal consequences.

RELATED

In February, 10 pounds of plastic explosives went missing during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, prompting the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to step in.

Last year, a Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, battalion commander and command sergeant major were fired after two of their units rifles went missing, never to be recovered.

Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.

Share:
In Other News
Load More