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Vietnam
Sniper Team
Late Summer 2017 a
new sniper team idea
was tried out at the
Burtonwood show by
Roger Hearn and
Kieran Rizzotti
with an impromptu
photo shoot to see
how it looked.
Since then the idea
has been developed
and important kit
sourced to the point
that we can now
complete a sniper
team report for the
Rolling Thunder
page.
The following
pictures have been
recreated from
training circular TC
23-14 Sniper
Training and
Employment
and show all the
period equipment on
issue to snipers
and their observers
and sniper teams in
general
when deployed in
Vietnam
.
Description
of
the gear of the
Americal 23d
Infantry Division in
1971.
I’ve also attached
the link to the
original footage of
the Americal
Divisions own sniper
school
of which our
impressions where
based upon.
Some of the smaller
hard to find items
such as range cards
are missing from the
photographs
and big ticket ones
like the Starlight
scope too but these
will be sourced.
This is the
individual sniper
equipment issue
layout and shows
the M14 rifle (match
grade), the 3X 9X
variable power
Redfield telescopic
sight and its mount,
ERDL camouflage
clothing,
watch,
cleaning kit,
magazines,
camouflage stick,
M56 webbing,
poncho liner,
boonie hat,
M14 bayonet and
scabbard,
entrenching tool and
cover
This is the
sniper team
equipment layout and
would have been
carried and used by
the observer.
It shows the M49
observation scope
with carrying case
and M15 tripod with
bag ,
M17(a1)
Observers binoculars
and plastic case,
PRC/25 radio and
batteries,
compass with pouch,
rucksack (the sniper
would also carry his
own).
This is the match
grade M14 rifle with
mounted 3X 9X
variable power
Redfield telescopic
sight
and M1907
leather sling.
The rifle has had
its flash hider
removed so that a
Sionics M14SS-1
noise suppressor can
be fitted.
The match grade M14
rifle with
accessories
including an Sionics
M14SS-1 noise
suppressor
The M49 observation
telescope with its
carrying case
The M15 tripod for
the M49 scope with
bag.
Sighting the M49
Observation Scope
M17(a1) binoculars
and plastic case.
The correct way to
hold the binoculars
to prevent the
ingress of light
when observing..
Holding and sighting
the compass.
The correct eye
relief when using
the mounted
telescopic sight.
The standard
standing position.
The
cross-legged sitting
position.
The standard
kneeling position.
The
standard prone
position.
The teams
observer himself a
trained sniper.
An
observer with map
and compass, passing
on updates
and locations of
possible enemy
movement over the
horn to his unit
With his M56 pouches and canteens carried
around his back, making it easier for him
to get into the prone position. He has chosen to carry An M203 as
extra firepower incase the team get “bumped”
Using the telescope, observation, M49.
The
observer, seen here
using the M17A1
binoculars.
Which are kept in
their plastic case,
carrying, M62A1 with
nylon strap.
Note the combined
use of ERDL fatigues
and OG boonie hat.
ERDL was not always
issued in full
complete sets.
We hope that this
report and these
pictures will
inspire you to
recreate something
that your interested
in
and bring it to life
for the public.
RAF
Burtonwood Nostalgia
Festival display
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Prime
reference material
because the internet
only gets you so
far.
TC23-14
- Sniper Training
and Employment, 13
Cent Killers, Inside
the Crosshair, the
Long Range War
Article and
photos thanks to
Roger Hearn and
Kieran Rizzotti
from Rolling
Thunder
Any Photos should not
be used without
prior agreement.
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