The images for TFB’s Photo Of The Day can be chosen for a variety of reasons. It may be because of their aesthetic qualities, newsworthiness, or technical excellence. Some Photo Of The Day features have a specific theme, and today you could say that the M240B machine gun has a central role. Just above these words, you get a look at U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chad Kelly, a combat arms instructor assigned to the 169th Security Forces Squadron, as he test fires the M240B machine gun before conducting heavy weapons qualifications at Poinsett Range, Sumter, South Carolina, 2023.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Chistoffer Grossmann, a combat arms instructor and Airman 1st Class Ashanti Miller, a fire team member, both assigned the 169th Security Forces Squadron, train on the M249 machine gun.

Below: Loading and reloading a machine gun is basic knowledge. Have you ever done it?

Security forces defenders with the South Carolina Air National Guard utilize heavy weapons training to equip Airmen with lethal and non-lethal capabilities to engage and control targets during deployments.

The M240B is also called FN MAG, and made by FN Herstal. The M240B weighs around 12.5 kg or 28 lb.

Source: U.S. Air National Guard, photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Dawson.