When Long Zhan was assembling this light machine gun, Murphy specifically mentioned that because this mission's terrain was treacherous—requiring climbing steep cliffs—it wasn't suitable to use a light machine gun. The logistics armory personnel hadn't even prepared a machine gun for this operation.
The MK48 that Long Zhan currently had was actually borrowed by Murphy from the neighboring Green Berets. After using it, they had to return it.
This was quite an interesting little episode!
The primary weapon basically met the requirements. As for the sidearms, there was absolutely no issue: all five of them carried a P226 pistol.
As one of the standard-issue pistols for special operations forces, this handgun was definitely up to the task for the mission.
Besides the firearms, Long Zhan had also ensured the protective gear was in place. They had specially prepared four sets of ballistic tactical vests equipped with front insertion plates.
Against hits to the chest by non-armor-piercing rounds, these vests could provide excellent protection.
Lastly, when it came to ammunition and grenades, the supply was even more than sufficient — adding up to over a dozen boxes. Even if they took 30 magazines each, they wouldn't be able to carry it all.
Marcus, Dietz, and Matt, upon hearing Murphy's briefing, learned that not only would they wear ballistic tactical vests reinforced with plates, but each person was also required to carry at least 15 magazines and over 10 assorted grenades.
At first, they were very unwilling and each grumbled about it.
Recon missions rarely involved combat, so wearing heavy ballistic vests that were basically unnecessary, along with carrying so many magazines they couldn't possibly fire, seemed like a pure punishment to them.
They had to be on the move for 3 to 4 hours in the rugged terrain over the next three years, climbing up and down steep inclines.
This additional 10-plus pounds of weight would drain a huge amount of their energy.
Just as Murphy was about to explain, Long Zhan decided on a more efficient and effective approach. Suddenly, from the side, he remarked coolly, "If you can't handle this small amount of weight, are you really from SEAL Team Ten? Is this what SEAL Team Ten's special operators are capable of? My load is nearly twice yours, and I don't feel any problem at all, nor do I need anyone's help. Don't make me look down on your Team Ten."
Hearing Long Zhan's outsider-like rhetorical challenge, Marcus and the others immediately bristled.
Anyone who had climbed from the bottom ranks into special forces, no matter their personality or temperament, definitely shared one trait:
An unyielding, relentless spirit.
Not wanting to be "looked down upon" by this outsider, and to protect the honor of SEAL Team Ten, Marcus, Matt, and Dietz stopped complaining.
They even quietly competed with Long Zhan, deciding to carry as much as he did.
By the time all preparations were finished, their tactical backpacks were packed with 18 magazines each, plus over 10 smoke and fragmentation grenades.
That absurd amount of ammunition alone was enough for a ten-man squad engagement.
However...
Although they competed silently with Long Zhan, carrying even more magazines than him, the three still bore significantly less weight.
Normally, a machine gunner carries soft ammo pouches, usually three to five per mission.
More than that, and it becomes too heavy to carry!
But Long Zhan? He simply brought 10 soft pouches, each holding 100 rounds. The bullet weight alone exceeded 14 kilograms.
A total of 1,000 rounds carried — even "hardcore" is an understatement.
It was downright insane!
Leaving aside the other logistics gear they needed to bring — demolition cords, helicopter guiding flares, M18A1 Claymore mines, climbing ropes, medical kits, and so on.
Just the mass of those 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammo alone outweighed all the bullets Marcus and the others carried combined.
Perhaps because they knew Long Zhan's ammo was heavier, Marcus and the others carried more magazines to convince themselves they weren't at a disadvantage.
Though their words still contested it, deep down they had already conceded.
More than 14 kilograms of ammo, plus 10 grenades, the 10-kilogram MK48 light machine gun, ballistic tactical vest, Claymore mines, and assorted logistics supplies.
Long Zhan's operational load easily exceeded 40 kilograms.
Equivalent to carrying a woman on their back throughout the mission!
Even when Marcus and his team undertook direct combat missions, they never carried such a heavy load — at most about 30 kilograms.
For long-distance reconnaissance missions, their combat load rarely exceeded 20 kilograms.
Long Zhan, traveling with them this time, shattered their previous record by over 20 kilograms.
That extra 20 kilograms may not sound like much, but it's on top of a 20-kilogram threshold considered a normal human limit.
Human endurance has its limits.
Once you reach a critical load, every additional kilogram is no longer just one kilogram — the physical toll increases exponentially.
It's like a weightlifter who can lift 180 kilograms, but absolutely cannot lift 185 kilograms.
Are those 5 kilograms really that heavy?
Obviously not!
To carry a terrifying 40-kilogram load while executing a mission in steep, mountainous terrain was unimaginable to Marcus and the others.
Even though Long Zhan was a nearly two-meter tall powerhouse, the three couldn't help but question:
Could Long Zhan really handle it?
Of course, this was only a thought in their minds, not meant as disparagement but rather born of curiosity.
After all, this was their first operation together, and they didn't know how Long Zhan performed in combat.
Long Zhan sensed the strange looks from the others but didn't rush to explain or show off. Calmly, he meticulously inspected his gear.
It wasn't that Long Zhan looked down on explaining — it was just that this weight...
Was insignificant!