The M60 machine gun is one of two fully automatic weapons in the Seabee battalion. The other being the 50-caliber M2 machine gun, which is discussed later in this chapter.

The M60 is used to support the rifle fire teams in a unit. The M60 is capable of delivering a heavy volume of controlled and accurate fire, both in offensive and defensive situations. Its capability is more than that of other individual small arms. The M60 machine gun can effectively engage predetermined targets under all conditions of visibility. Naval Construction Battalion fire plans are made around the final protective fires of the M60 machine gun.