Assistant Kits. Suggestions please

[Matt W]

It occurs to me that we don't see the "other half" of those teams who operate some of the heavier weapons

For example, it is possible for an individual PC to be issued something like the MAG-58 machine gun with 3 belts of ammo. NOBODY in the real world sends this guy out on his own. Someone should be with this guy and carrying another 4 or 5 belts of ammo, a couple of spare barrels and the tripod.

What would you put in the "assistant LMG gunner kit"?

Similarly,real-world marksmen/snipers rarely work alone. There's usually a second person, a "spotter", with spare ammo, starlight scope and a laser range finder. Their job is to support and protect the sniper

What would you put in a "spotter" kit ?

What would you put in something like the "assistant missile operator kit"? OR "assistant rocket launcher operator kit"?

I'm trying to decide between 2 options

1. an Individual Basic Load for these kits (like the already-existing Doctor's Assistant issue). To include weapons
2. A literal "kit bag" that anyone can pick up and use if, for example, the sniper needs support.

Opinions and suggestions are welcomed

[dragoon500ly]

As far as the heavy weapons go, I'd go with a support bag that any team member could grab, as needed. For the machine gun, I can see a packboard/hard frame holding 6-8 cans of ammo, a spare barrel in its bag, and a spare parts bag. The tripod would be in its own bag, available to be carried by anyone.

If you go with a Dragon, the reloads would simply be carried by other team members

The sniper/spotter would have to be a dedicated pairing, with both being proficient on the sniper rifle.

Just some random thoughts...

[nuke11]

I've never run across an LMG Gunner Support Kit. The SAW/LMG gunner usually carries all of the stuff they need to keep the LMG going. The spare barrel, extra ammunition, small spare parts kit, cleaning kit. They have to carry all of that over top of their normal issue equipment.

There is an MMG Support Kit that the is carried between the gunner and assistant. There would be a spare barrel, possibly 2 carried (heat resistant mites and pad), spare parts kit, cleaning kit, extra ammunition. There is also a sustained fire kit which can also be carried, which is the tripod and gunner sight as well as the rest of the kit carried, this would be used in a defensive position or a sustained fire position only. They have to carry all of this over and above their regular kit. The assistant would also carry their personal weapon (most often a rifle of some kind), the MMG gunner, the MMG is there's.

There is an HMG Kit as well, this again is usually a 3 person team, gunner assistant #1 and #2. There is a spare barrel, tripod, extra ammunition, spare parts kit. This would rarely be employed in the ground role, but could be if needed.

Spare parts kit; normally are an extra bolt, extractor, springs, firing pin, gas plug, trigger, screws, pins, extra blade sights, this sort of thing. The kits would include anything that could break out in the field that could prevent the weapon the functioning, since they would not have access to an gunsmith during combat.

Cleaning kit; pipe cleaners, tools needed to disassemble, clearing plug, lubricant, cleaning tools (scrapers for bore, gas plug that sort of thing), 3 or 4 piece rods, bore brushes, cleaning patches (lots of these), if the weapon requires the setting of head spacing and timing, there are tools for that (usually the older M2HB without a modernization kit).

[.45cultist]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

As far as the heavy weapons go, I'd go with a support bag that any team member could grab, as needed. For the machine gun, I can see a packboard/hard frame holding 6-8 cans of ammo, a spare barrel in its bag, and a spare parts bag. The tripod would be in its own bag, available to be carried by anyone.

If you go with a Dragon, the reloads would simply be carried by other team members

The sniper/spotter would have to be a dedicated pairing, with both being proficient on the sniper rifle.

Just some random thoughts...

This, the Team training means anyone can be the assistant.

[dragoon500ly]

I've always been told/read that sniper teams are both qualified as snipers and that the pair will switch duties throughout their mission. It's for this reason that I restrict sniper teams to the MARS teams, Recons get a standard rifle with scope and someone trained as a marksman.

[rcaf_777]

Speaking as guy who been the Number One and Number Two on the FN MAG-58

Both person carry a lot of extra gear and ammo

Here what I remember

Light Role

Tool Roll
Spare Parts Kit
Spare Barrel
Spare Barrel Bag

FN MAG Sustained Fire Kit

Tripod
Tripod Locking Nut(Keeps the weapon secured to the tripod)
Spare Barrel
Optical Sight
Aiming Stakes
Aiming Night Vision Globes
Aiming Sight
Sustained Fire Kit Bag
Plus all the items in the light roll

[bobcat]

for small team a such as the ubiquitous Morrow Project Recon Team GPMGs would typically be kept on the vehicle or, if dismounting a GPMG, the ammo would be distributed across the whole team often carried on top of buttpacks or rucks. so whoever is stuck carrying the thing can just grab a belt off of whoever is in front of them should they need to reload. while i have yet to find a convenient way to use straps to hold that ammo securely yet accessibly i am young enough to have been able to snag a 200 round saw pouch to carry my share of that load.

[Craig67]

Originally Posted by Matt W

It occurs to me that we don't see the "other half" of those teams who operate some of the heavier weapons

For example, it is possible for an individual PC to be issued something like the MAG-58 machine gun with 3 belts of ammo. NOBODY in the real world sends this guy out on his own. Someone should be with this guy and carrying another 4 or 5 belts of ammo, a couple of spare barrels and the tripod.

What would you put in the "assistant LMG gunner kit"?

A MAG-58 really needs an assistant gunner or a #2 (#1 being the gunner). However a Stoner Mk 23 gunner would not, his weapon is a personal weapon not a crew served weapon. The same applies to Dragon, M 202 and the Stinger basic loads, these need an assistant gunner to help out with the donkey work of hauling the ammo but also to assist in reloading and to provide local defense to the gunner.

Similarly,real-world marksmen/snipers rarely work alone. There's usually a second person, a "spotter", with spare ammo, starlight scope and a laser range finder. Their job is to support and protect the sniper

Snipers work in 2 man teams but marksmen not necessarily. Soviet doctrine was to issue the SVD to a man who would work alone in the context of an infantry platoon. Myself, I see basic load #3 (M 21 rifle) as a marksman's load, not a snipers load. I doubt the Project would have the time to train snipers and spotters.

Craig

[Craig67]

Individual Basic Load #8A ( 29.81 kg )

1 Stoner M22 Rifle and 12 mags
1 HP-35 and 3 mags
1 M122 tripod ( 7.3 kg )
1 MAG-58 spare barrel ( 3.05 kg )
3 MAG-58 belts (300 rds )

Its a heavy load and it only adds another 300 rds of ammo for the MAG gunner. For 4th edition users there is a more modern and lighter tripod.

[ArmySGT.]

Originally Posted by Matt W

I'm trying to decide between 2 options

1. an Individual Basic Load for these kits (like the already-existing Doctor's Assistant issue). To include weapons
2. A literal "kit bag" that anyone can pick up and use if, for example, the sniper needs support.

Opinions and suggestions are welcomed

I would think that the "Assistant's kit" would be an addition to all the general equipment and ammunition assigned to the Team. If a player takes the GPMG load out, an "A gunner" kit is included in the initial team load out without being specific to a PC or NPC.

[ArmySGT.]

NBC Reconnaisance kit......

Geiger counter
Chemical alarm
Confined spaces low O2/methane alarm
M256 NBC kit
x2 OD tyvek oversuits
cooling vest with pump and 2 gallon reservoir
battery driven forced air canister system
M8 paper x3 rolls
NBC flagging kit