Sorry if this violates opsec, TE. If it does, I'll delete it post-haste.

Just curious, who carries the MGs and SRs (Not including the SR25) in an STT? Are CCTs and PJs trained to use them? Or are they non-existent in an STT? I ask because in all of the books and articles I've read about the training, they never mention any weapons beyond the M4, M16, and M9. And I've never seen a photo of a ST operator packing anything else.

Also, anyone ever hear of a CCT or PJ attending Army Sniper School or the AF Counter-Sniper School?

was looking through my normal list of websites and came across something that might shine some light on your questions. http://www.rangertacp.com has some new photos on the main page. I know they are TACP guys, but one is shooting a 50cal sniper rifle. Looks to be just target shooting on the range but don't know for sure where he is at.

M4_Shooter

Thanks, bud. That pic just became my wallpaper. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Know of any pics of CCTs with a SAW? Or a 60?

Have you seen the Air Force with an Attitude poster? The one with the CCT guy standing in the sand pit with all the gear laid out? If you look one that you can see a M4 rigged up with two drums. That's about as close to MG looking as I have seen for CCT/PJ guys. The RATT might be able to mount a M249 or a 60 but I don't know for sure. The Air Force Special Ops book has a lot of weapons pictures and info in it if you want to check that out. That's where I'm getting most of this from. Take Care.

M4_Shooter

Yeah.. I've got that book. But the only SR that they show is the SR-25, and that might as well just be a single-shot M-16. And there is no mention at all of machineguns, except for the in the section about the helicopters and the AC-130s. Oh well, though. Thanks anyway, shooter.

-Nate

I'm pretty sure they can carry whatever they want, but I'd bet a months pay you see them with M4's bcz their primary task is either talking to air on the radio or treating wounded. In a firefight you don't want your SAW or 240 gunner to set his weapon down bcz he has to call in CAS or insert an IV.

I'm sure they are trained in all small arms for obvious reasons.

Tomahawk said it pretty well. In most cases that's exactly right. CCTs and PJs do train in heavy weapons when they are assigned to work with SF and other forces. They may be called on to use M-240s,M-249s, M-60's, M-2s, MK-19s etc. Some guys have even gotten pretty good with mortars (US and Soviet). So yes, guys do train with them as needed to work with other units and yes, STS is equiped with weapons other than M-4s, M-203s and M-9s but no you won't see guys carrying them around a whole lot. Why? Because it's not their mission. Besides, you can kill a lot more bad guys with a radio than a rifle. And radios and other associated equipment weigh a lot, leaving no room for heavy weapons and ammo. If you are trying to save people, the last thing you need is a 25LB machine gun and 1,500 rounds of ammo.
PJs and Controllers do need to know how to use these weapons if the need comes up but rarely do they actually carry them as it would interfere with their primary mission. MC

Thanks Tomahawk and MC. That answered my question very well.

-Nate