What should the automatic weapons in a fire team be positioned to do?

The automatic weapons in a fire team should be positioned to cover main avenues of enemy approach because this strategic placement allows for effective fire support and defense against potential threats. By focusing on these avenues, the fire team can maximize its ability to engage enemies before they reach critical points or threaten the team's position. This proactive defense is vital in maintaining operational control and ensuring the safety of the team as a whole.

Positioning automatic weapons to cover these avenues enhances situational awareness and creates overlapping fields of fire, which are crucial for maximizing engagement effectiveness and reducing the potential for enemy maneuverability. It ensures that the most likely routes of attack are monitored and covered, facilitating an organized response to enemy actions.

While securing the base camp location and hiding from artillery fire are important considerations, the primary focus of automatic weapon positioning should be on countering direct threats by denying the enemy access to key routes. This makes it essential for the fire team to prioritize and effectively use its automatic weapons in this manner.