Machine Gun Platoon

A soldier with the Machine Gun Platoon, 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment (2 PARA), lays down suppressive fire with a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) during an operation in Afghanistan, 2008. The Machine Gun Platoon is an element of a Parachute Regiment battalion Support Company, along with a Mortar Platoon and Anti-Tank Platoon. The Machine Gun Platoon provides battalion-level fire support from GPMGs and Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs).

When configured for sustained fire role (SF), the GPMG is mounted on a tripod, with buttstock removed and an aiming post and C2 sight added. In this mode of fire a 2-man Machine Gun Platoon team can put down fire at a rate of 200 rounds per minute out to a maximum range of 1,800 meters.