![]() ![]() ![]() Russian PKM Machine Gun, Tripod-Mounted, Belt-Fed, firing the 7.62 x 54 round. The instruction started off with a presentation of the Russian weapons (AK 47, AK 74, AK 100, SKS Carbine, Mosin Nagant 1944 Carbine, SVD Sniper Rifle, RPK and RPD Light Machine Guns, Soviet PPSH 41 Submachine Gun, and PKM Machine Gun (belt-fed). The morning sessions were classroom instruction in a very nice facility of the Ayer Gun and Sportsman’s Club that covered the history, description, and mechanical function (to include hands-on weapons breakdown) of the various weapons. (Photo credit: Ken Gingras, President, Chapter 54 SFA). RPG-2 and RPG-7 on display – Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers. All the weapons were provided by Vincent as well as the ammunition. In addition, there were over 70 weapons on display. There were over 30 different weapons fired on the range. Vincent Pestilli, President of the Eleven Bravo Training Company located in Brownfield, Maine, provided the numerous instructors and range safety personnel to ensure there were enough firing positions to cycle the participants through all the weapons. There was plenty of ammo and quite a few ‘ceasefires’ had to be called to set up new targets. It was a sight seeing some of the 80-year-old plus ex-SF dudes throw their canes to the ground and pick up the Thompson submachine gun to put some rounds downrange. There was a three-man element from Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group located in the western Massachusetts area as well.Īlthough many in the group of retired Green Berets had fired most of the weapons before (especially if they were a former SF weapons man) it probably had been quite a few years since they had handled a tripod-mounted, belt-fed PKM Machine Gun. Not everyone was old – as there were some SF off-spring in attendance – learning a little about what their Dad’s did in the Army. The gun club also put on a barbeque on Saturday night – to include ‘beverages’ (after range firing of course).įavorable weather was a key factor for the forty-plus strong contingent of retired Special Forces Soldiers that took part in a fun and educational weekend at the gun club. The gun club was very hospitable providing the classroom, facilities and range. The instruction and range operations personnel was provided by Vinny A. The event, held at the Ayer Gun and Sportsman’s Club on 24-25 June 2017 (Saturday and Sunday), was hosted by Chapter 54. The two-day event included instruction and range firing of a large number of foreign pistols, rifles, assault rifles, and machine guns. Fort Devens was the installation that housed the 10th Special Forces Group prior to their move to Fort Carson, Colorado in the 1990s. Foreign Weapons Familiarization Course 2017 hosted by Chapter 54 Special Forces Association in June 2017 (photo by author).įoreign Weapons Familiarization Course – Members of Chapter 54 of the Special Forces Association (SFA) recently attended a foreign weapons familiarization course in Ayer, Massachusetts – adjacent to the area of the former Fort Devens. ![]()
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