Re: New packages

[GLENN_DOWDY@HP-Spokane-om2.om.hp.com]

Tn> it is REALLY REALLY& REALLY nice to blast out 30 round bursts of fire to 
Tn> supress the
Tn> ambushers. A lot more nice than having to squeeze off 8 shots, then have 
d1> Isn't like the Hog 80% of the squad's firepower?  
     
GL1> If you have one - it's not US Army doctrine to assign one to the squad 
GL1> level. 
     
d2>How many per platoon?

According to Army Field Manual FM 7-8, Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad, 
Appendix A, Organization:

The light infantry platoon consists of 3 squads with 2 MGs in the platoon 
headquarters.

The infantry, airborne and air assault platoons consist of platoon HQ, 
three squads, and a weapons squad with two MGs and two AT teams.

The ranger platoon consists of a platoon headquarters, 3 squads, and a 
machine gun squad with 3 machine gun teams.

GL1>Plus, a GPMG tends to draw more than it's fair share of attention 
GL1> in 
GL1> a firefight. If you're the gunner, wouldn't rather have a few more 
GL1> automatic weapons out there drawing enemy fire?
     
d2>I thought that was the Radioman's job to draw attention away from your 
d2>machine gunner position. ;-) All kidding aside, doesn't the gernaders take 
d2>a fair amount of the heat off your MG position?

The closest I've been to a firefight is about 600m, but the sounds of the 
MGs were clearly discernible. The rate of fire of the MGs probably 'helps' 
attract the enemy attention.
     
     
d1>I was thinking of being able to penetrate cover where the target is 
d1>firing from.  Afterall, it's just armour value, right?
     
Correct. An M60 will shoot through cinder block walls quite easily.
     
GL1> The M249 SAW didn't replace the M60 at the squad level. It replaced the 
GL1> Automatic Rifleman, who was issued an M16 with a bipod and extra
GL1> magazines, 
GL1> and who was the only member of the fire team who was supposed to fire on 
GL1> automatic.
     
d2>So there are SAWS at the squad level and Hogs at platoon levels?
     
There are two fire teams per squad, with one SAW per fireteam. 
Organization for patrolling can modify the normal one. A smaller than 
platoon level patrol may be assigned a machine gun team to strengthen 
the support element.

Glenn Dowdy