United States Marines have a number of weapons at their disposal, but few are as deadly as the Barrett M107 .50 caliber sniper rifle. Capable of striking targets from nearly 2,000 yards away, the Barrett M107 is an invaluable rifle that offers snipers unprecedented accuracy from remarkable distances when they need it most.
Getting the opportunity to see such an impressive gun in action is a rare sight, but footage compiled by the U.S. Marines during a harrowing confrontation offers viewers a chance to see the destructive power of the rifle during an active combat situation.
1st Reconnaissance Battalion engage insurgents in Sangin, Afghanistan as part of the counter insurgency ops. (MilitaryNotes/YouTube)
The video, compiled by U.S. Marine Cpl. William J. Faffler, shows a number of troops returning fire during an intense confrontation with combatants.
“U.S. Marines with Company B., 1st Reconnaissance Battalion engage enemy forces from a patrol base near Sangin, Afghanistan,” the video reads in the opening. “1st Reconnaissance Battalion is conducting counter insurgency operations in support of the International Security Assistance Force.”
Check out the entire video below:
A number of different weapons can be seen in the video, including suppressed M4 rifles with M203 grenade launchers and the Barrett .50 caliber rifle. The 30lb weapon is carefully maneuvered as the sniper continuously scans the landscape for targets.
Four minutes into the video, the sniper zeroes in on his target.
“Alright, I got one. Standby for shot,” the Marine says.
1st Reconnaissance Battalion engage insurgents in Sangin, Afghanistan as part of the counter insurgency ops. (MilitaryNotes/YouTube)
The massive weapon fires off a single devastating round with an unimaginable amount of force. As the dust cloud disperses, the sniper reports back.
“I had three in my sights. Two went running in the opposite direction they came from,” he explains. A moment later, the skilled sniper lines up for another shot.
“Guy on a moped moving east to west at about 800. You’ll catch him on the right side in a couple seconds,” he says to his team.
1st Reconnaissance Battalion engage insurgents in Sangin, Afghanistan as part of the counter insurgency ops. (MilitaryNotes/YouTube)
The video clip is an intense look at the challenges the armed forces face every day when deployed. It also serves as a stark reminder of the dangers they are subjected to when in combat. Often times, enemy combatants seemingly fire from every direction without being seen, and snipers with weapons like the Barrett M107 are vital resources for a unit during a threatening situation.
