This is just a little info on what most guys carried with them. This isn't written in stone, some carried less or more of something else. I carried just the basics to live with.
The M16A1 with one thirty round magazine weighed in at 7.9 pounds the main weapon of most soldiers.
200 rounds of .556 ammo about 6 pounds this is round the M16A1 uses. The loaded magazine weighs about one pound.
M60 machinegun weighed in at 23.5 pounds loaded, it's length was 43.5 inches. This weapon could fire 550-650 rounds per minute. Normally two more people carried extra belts of ammo for the M60.
Colt M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol loaded weighed 3.0 pounds.
Frag M67 grenade is about 14 ounces. Most carried 4. The beercan or smoke grenade about 19 ounces.
Web gear two ammo pouches with grenade holders two on each canteen entrenching tool pistol and holster one rain poncho maybe an asspack attached. Could weigh in close to fifty pounds. Depending what was in the pack. Just web gear say close to 4-10 pounds.
PRC 77 Radio, weighs in at about 14 pounds the KY 38 Nestor voice encryption. Combo with spare batteries was about 54 pounds. Yes you Vietnam-era radio guys we still used the KY 38 voice encryption device.
So what was the average weight?
6 loaded magazines 6 pounds
4 M67 grenades 3.5 pounds.
2 beercan smoke grenades about 2.5 pounds rounding up.
200 rounds .556, 6 pounds
Other web gear canteen entrenching tool, compass fist aid dressing, knife add another 3.5 pounds . That is an estimate.
Personal this again is estimated.
One hygiene kit washcloth, soap, toothpaste and brush, deodorant towel, underwear tshirt. say 1 pound.
2-3 days of food about 13.5 pounds
One note book, mapboad and assorted writing untinsels.
Figure .5 pounds.
Spare uniform figure .5 pounds.
7.9 pounds one M16A1 rifle.
44.9 pounds that is a mission of only a couple days.
This would be the minimum I would even think of having.
It does give you a good idea though.
Thanks for reading all vote make a comment if you like.
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A Walk In The Park Long Range Surveillance.
RandomThis is Stories from Random Thoughts, and some new stories Team Alpha takes place circa 1980 South America and Central America. is it History or Fiction?
