POTD: M240B Machine Gun in Heavy Weapons Qualifications

by Eric B

Published: August 31st, 2023

(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Dawson)

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?

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Chistoffer Grossmann, a combat arms instructor and Senior Airman Takyma Durant-Wright, a fire team member, both assigned the 169th Security Forces Squadron, load the M249 machine gun with ammunition during heavy weapons qualifications at Poinsett Range, Sumter, South Carolina, August 18, 2023. 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. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Dawson)

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.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 169th Security Forces Squadron fire the M240B machine gun to qualify for heavy weapons at Poinsett Range, Sumter, South Carolina, August 18, 2023. 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. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Dawson)

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

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christina Davis, a fire team member assigned to the 169th Security Forces Squadron, fires the M240B machine gun to qualify for heavy weapons at Poinsett Range, Sumter, South Carolina, August 18, 2023. 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. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Dawson)

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

#M240B #HeavyWeaponsQualifications

Eric B

Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.

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2 of 3 comments

Xerxes036 on Sep 01, 2023

The 169th SFS my old unit they can fire heavies at Ft Jackson or Shaw AFB cant go wrong with either location.

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Paul L on Sep 04, 2023

We classified 7.62 as medium when I was in the Army and it took something in the size of .50 cal to be heavy. Does the USAF consider the M240B heavy?

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POTD: M240B Machine Gun in Heavy Weapons Qualifications

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