CHAPTER 4
CREW DRILLS
The purpose of a crew drill is to build precision, speed, skill, and teamwork in checking equipment, placing the MK 19 into and taking it out of action, and moving it to a new position. Precision--the main goal--is achieved by following prescribed procedures. Speed, skill, and teamwork grow with practice. During the crew drill, all oral and visual signals are repeated. Once crew members can perform their duties well, they rotate to allow each member of the crew to learn the duties of the others. The ground-mounted MK 19 has three crew members: the gunner, the assistant gunner, and the ammunition bearer. The crew places the MK 19 into action and keeps the MK 19 supplied with ammunition. The crew will normally not be needed to carry the MK 19 and ammunition over long distances. A vehicle assigned to the crew carries the ammunition and equipment to the firing position. The terrain and the enemy situation dictate how close the vehicle may be brought to the firing position.
4-1. CREW EQUIPMENT
In addition to individual weapons and equipment, each crew member carries specific equipment used with the tripod-mounted MK 19 as listed below.
WARNING |
| CREW MEMBER | SUGGESTED MINIMUM EQUIPMENT |
| Gunner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | MK 19, binoculars, and compass. |
| Assistant Gunner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | M3 tripod, MK 64 gun cradle, with T&E attached. |
| Ammunition Bearer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | One box of ammunition. |
4-2. FORMATION FOR CREW DRILL
The leader commands FORM FOR CREW DRILL
a. Task. Participate as a MK 19 crew member in the crew drill formation.
b. Condition. In a field environment, given a MK 19 gunner, assistant gunner, ammunition bearer, the weapon system, ammunition, and the command, FORM FOR CREW DRILL.
c. Standard. Upon hearing the leader's command, the crew forms in a column, five paces apart, in the following order: assistant gunner, gunner, and ammunition bearer (Figure 4-1).
(1) The assistant gunner carries the tripod, with the front leg positioned at a 60-degree angle and the trail legs collapsed, in one hand; he carries the gun cradle, with the T&E mechanism attached, in the other.
(2) The gunner carries the MK19, binoculars, and compass.
(3) The ammunition bearer carries one can of ammunition.
4-3. INSPECTION OF EQUIPMENT
The crew forms with equipment, inspects it, and makes a report.
a. Task. Inspect the MK 19 as a crew member.
b. Condition. In a field environment, given a MK 19 gunner, assistant gunner, ammunition bearer, the weapon system, ammunition, and the command, INSPECT EQUIPMENT BEFORE FIRING.
c. Standard. Upon hearing the leader's command, all crew members inspect the components.
(1) The leader commands INSPECT EQUIPMENT BEFORE FIRING.
(a) Assistant Gunner--Inspect the M3 tripod, gun cradle, and T&E mechanism.
- Ensure that the indexing levers and clamps on the front and trail legs work, and that the legs are in the short (low) position.
- Ensure the front leg is placed at a 60-degree angle and the trail legs are closely folded; and ensure that the front leg clamp is tight.
- Ensure the sleeve lock latch and pintle lock release cam work.
- Ensure the pintle bushing is clean has no burrs.
- Check the cradle to ensure the pintle is clean and that all pins and bolts are seated.
- Prepare the T&E by centering both handwheels.
(b) Gunner--Inspect the MK 19.
- Ensure that the weapon is clean.
- Ensure that the bolt is forward, the top cover is closed, and that the weapon is on SAFE.
- Ensure the charger handles are forward and locked in the up position.
- Ensure the binocular lenses are clean and that the focusing mechanism works.
- Check the compass to ensure that the magnetic arrow and bezel ring work freely.
(c) Ammunition Bearer--Inspect the ammunition, ensuring that the correct type of ammunition is on hand, and that the ammunition can is dent-free. Ensure that all ogives are tight and that the ammunition is clean.
(2) Crew members report when the inspections are finished.
(a) Ammunition bearer--Report, AMMUNITION CORRECT, or any defects.
(b) Gunner--Report, GUN AND AMMUNITION CORRECT, or any defects.
(c) Assistant gunner--Report, ALL CORRECT, or any defects.
4-4. PLACING THE MK 19 INTO ACTION
The leader commands and signals GUN TO BE MOUNTED, and points to the position where the gun is to be mounted: FRONT, and points in the direction of fire: ACTION, and indicates with his fist the MK 19s direction in the chosen position.
a. Task. As a crew member, place the MK 19 into operation.
b. Condition. In a field environment, given a MK 19 gunner, assistant gunner, ammunition bearer, the weapon system, ammunition, and the command, GUN TO BE MOUNTED, ACTION.
c. Standard. Crew members place the gun into operation.
(1) At the command or signal ACTION, the assistant gunner drags the tripod to the firing position by its front leg with his right hand, and carries the gun cradle, T&E mechanism attached, in his left hand. When he arrives at the firing position, he aligns the front tripod legs for direction and, with one quick motion, snaps the trail legs apart. This action makes the sleeve lock-latch snap in place (Figure 4-2). He stamps each leg into the ground. He secures the gun cradle, with T&E attached, to the tripod, using the pintle lock release cam (Figure 4-3). He secures the T&E mechanism to the tripod, by locking the traversing slide lock lever (Figure 4-4). He helps the gunner mount and load the MK 19.
(2) At the command or signal ACTION, the gunner carries the MK 19 receiver to the tripod, with the barrel in his left hand, and the in his right hand (Figure 4-5). The assistant gunner grasps the barrel while the gunner holds the grips. Together they align the grooves on the receiver with the lugs in the gun cradle, and slide the receiver forward (Figure 4-6). The gunner secures the rear of the weapon by inserting the retaining pin through the cradle and sear assembly (Figure 4-7).
(3) The ammunition bearer carries the can of ammunition to the MK 19 position (Figure 4-8). He takes the lid off and ensures the ogive ends of the rounds are pointed downrange (Figure 4-9). He gives the can to the assistant gunner. The ammunition bearer returns to the ammunition point and stands by to do whatever is needed to complete the mission.
(4) The gunner opens the top cover. The assistant gunner inserts the first round into the feeder, female link first, pushes the first round across the primary feed pawl (Figure 4-10), and moves the feed slide assembly to the left by pushing the secondary drive lever to the right (Figure 4-11).
(5) The gunner closes the top cover and charges the weapon (Figure 4-12). The gunner presses the trigger, which places the lead round in the bolt extractor. He charges the weapon a second time, forcing the lead round from the bolt extractors into the bolt fingers. The weapon is ready to fire. When the assistant gunner raises the rear sight, the gunner calls UP (Figure 4-13).
4-5. TAKING THE MK 19 OUT OF ACTION
To take the gun out of action, the leader commands OUT OF ACTION.
a. Task. As a crew member, take the MK 19 out of action.
b. Condition. In a field environment given a MK 19 gunner, assistant gunner, ammunition bearer, the weapon system, ammunition, and the command, OUT OF ACTION.
c. Standard. Each crew member will accomplish the following in sequence:
(1) The gunner raises the top cover of the MK 19; the assistant gunner releases the ammunition belt from the feed tray and places it in the ammunition can. The gunner takes the round or spent cartridge case from the bolt fingers, places it in the ammunition can, and closes the top cover.
(2) The assistant gunner releases the MK 19 from the gun cradle. The gunner lifts the MK 19 off the mount and moves to a position ten paces behind the tripod. He places the MK 19 on the ground in front of him with the flash suppressor to the left and with the sights on the top.
(3) Once the gunner has moved away from the tripod, the assistant gunner releases the T&E mechanism, takes off the gun cradle/T&E mechanism. He releases the sleeve lock latch. He grasps the front leg and rotates the tripod to a vertical position. He releases the sleeve latch, and collapses the trail legs. He loosens the front leg clamp, folds down the front leg, and tightens the clamp. He returns, with tripod and gun cradle, to a position five paces behind the gunner.
(4) The ammunition bearer comes forward and gets the ammunition can(s) or any other loose equipment, and returns to a position five paces behind the assistant gunner. The gunner announces UP.
4-6. CARRYING THE TRIPOD-MOUNTED MK 19
To move the MK 19 and equipment a short distance, the gunner commands SECURE EQUIPMENT, FOLLOW ME.
a. Task. Move the tripod-mounted MK 19.
b. Condition. In a field environment, given a MK 19 mounted on an M3 tripod.
c. Standard. The MK 19 must be moved using one of three methods--dragging, two-man carry, or three-man carry.
(1) Dragging. The gunner grasps the front leg and pulls the MK 19 to the new position, and the assistant gunner secures any loose equipment.
(2) Two-man carry. The gunner stands behind the tripod with a trail leg in each hand. The assistant gunner grasps the front leg and avoids touching the barrel if it is hot. The gunner and assistant gunner carry the mounted MK 19. The assistant gunner returns to secure any loose equipment.
(3) Three-man carry. The gunner and assistant gunner each holds a trail leg just above the traversing bar. The ammunition bearer grasps the front leg and avoids touching the barrel if it is hot. The crew moves to the new position. The ammunition bearer and the assistant gunner go back and get the ammunition or loose equipment, and return to the new position.
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