[sneakypete]

I think it's probably safe to say they were carrying the RPK on those little ponies,and that is what they meant when they stated "PK". It may not be technically correct,but I've heard the RPK refered to as a "PK" numerous times.

To be honest,I think the 762x54 PK is more correctly refered to as a "medium machine gun" than a "light machine gun".

[archy]

From those I've known who've worked in that part of the world, they'll use the 7,62x53r caliber [roughly equal to the old US .30-06, but a rimmed cartridge like the British MkVII .303 or the US .30-40 of the Spanish-American War period] SVD sniper's rifle and PK machineguns [PKS if on tripod or stankovi, PKT for Tankisti tankers' use] by daytime when the ranges are likely to be longer, saving the AKs and RPKs for nighttime engagements where the political discussions take place closer up and more personal.

And, of course, it's the experienced fighters and NCOs who gravitate to the longer-range more specialized weapons, which require more than a rookies attention and for whom an AK is a better and simpler item of issue- particularly for those nighttime situations. It's a good bet that that snakeeater advisor helping those guys by pointing the air support the right way is a heavy weapons NCO....

I seem to recall T.E. Lawrence making the point that it is better that they should do a thing imperfectly, than that you should do it for them perfectly... But directing close air support can be partricularly costly if done inexpertly, even if the locals are fast learners.

You reckon those folks are using the killdots against the bad guys?

-archy-/-