10 - 9 d. Maneuver Element. Under certain terrain conditions, and for proper control, machine guns may join the maneuver or assault unit. (1) When this is the case, they are assigned a cover fire zone or sector. The machine guns seldom accompany the maneuver element. The gun's primary mission is to provide covering fire. The machine guns are only employed with the maneuver element when the area or zone of action assigned to the assault or company is too narrow to permit proper control of the guns. The machine guns are then moved with the unit and readied to employ on order from the leader and in the direction needing the supporting fire. (2) When machine guns move with the element undertaking the assault, the maneuver element brings the machine guns to provide additional firepower. These weapons are fired from a bipod, in an assault mode, from the hip, or from the underarm position. They target enemy automatic weapons anywhere on the unit's objective. (3) After destroying the enemy's automatic weapons, if any, the gunners distribute fire over their assigned zones or sectors. The machine gunner in the assault position engages within 300 meters of his target, often at point blank ranges. (4) If the platoon’s organic weapons fail to cover the area or zone of action, the company commander can assign more machine guns and personnel. This might help the platoon accomplish its assigned mission. Each machine gunner is assigned a zone or a sector to cover, and they move with the maneuver element. e. Controlled Occupation of the Support-by-Fire Position. This is one of the key elements in setting up an SBF position. To remain undetected, use stealth and control. (1) The WSL must move to and establish a release point just short of the SBF position. (a) Order of movement for the Weapons Squad during movement to their position is the WSL, Gun Team 2 (Gunner, AB, AG), Gun Team 1 (AG, Gunner, AB), and Gun Team 3 (AG, Gunner, AB). (2) The WSL then moves forward from the release point with the Gun 2 Gunner. The gunner will get into position and remain in bipod mode to provide security. (3) The WSL will then bring forward the Gun 2 AG and AB. (a) The AG moves to the left of the gun and emplaces the tripod. (b) The AB drops off all ammunition at the gun position and then moves to pull flank or rear security. (4) Once Gun 2 is in place, the WSL brings the Gun 1 AC forward with the tripod (T&E already attached). The WSL emplaces the tripod. (5) Once the tripod is emplaced, the WSL brings the gunner forward. The gunner places the gun on the tripod. The WSL gets down behind the gun to ensure it covers down on its sector of fire, and that everything is IAW the PL’s guidance. (6) The WSL directs the Gun 1 AB to move forward, drop off the ammunition, and then assume his security position. (7) Once Gun 1 is emplaced, Gun 3 is occupied exactly the same as Gun 1. (8) Once Gun 1 and Gun 3 are both on tripods, the Gun 2 gunner also places his gun on the tripod. (9) The WSL calls the PL to notify him that the SBF position is occupied. f. Controlled Withdrawal of the Support-by-Fire Position. The platoon leader can use this method to cover the withdrawal of the platoon as well as to provide security for the support-by-fire position itself. (1) Before the platoon moves off an objective, the weapons squad leader shifts the machine guns’ sectors of fire to cover the objective. (2) After he has the guns covering the objective, the weapons squad leader starts breaking down the gun positions, one at a time. (3) After the main body of the platoon starts to moves off the objective, the gun teams move one at a time into the order of movement, with the last gun breaking down as soon as the platoon is completely off the objective. (4) The entire weapons squad moves tactically to link up with the rest of the platoon. 10-5. DEFENSE. The platoon's defense centers on its machine guns. The platoon leader positions the rifle squad to protect the machine guns against the assault of a dismounted enemy formation. The machine gun provides the necessary range and volume of fire to cover the squad front in the defense. a. Position.