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Courage Under Fire
Courage Under Fire is a 1996 Gulf War film starring Denzel Washington as Lt. Col. Nathan Serling, a former Army tank commander who is assigned to the Medal of Honor review for Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan). Serling discovers that the incidents surrounding her sacrifice are remembered differently by the witnesses who were there and could put into question whether her actions would warrant the Medal of Honor. Directed by Edward Zwick (Glory), this movie was one of the first to depict the Gulf War in a feature film.
The following weapons were featured in the film Courage Under Fire:
Browning M2HB Heavy Machine Gun
In the opening scenes of the film, a formation of US M1 Abrams tanks under the command of Lt. Colonel Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) engages an Iraqi Republican Guard tank unit in a night battle at Al-Bathra during Operation Desert Storm. Colonel Serling at one point opens up on a group of Iraqi troops with the Browning M2HB heavy machine gun mounted on his M1A1 Abrams (in reality a mocked-up Former Australian Army Centurion tank). One notable goof is that he fires the weapon manually despite all versions of the Abrams except the M1A2 (which wasn't in service during Desert Storm) having the .50 cal rigged to be fired from inside the turret. He also fails to use correct terminology when he engages the weapon, opening fire without saying anything instead of saying "Troops, caliber fifty!" and then firing.
M16A2 Rifle
One of the central weapons in the film is the M16A2 rifle. Its usage in the incident that lead to the death of Captain Karen Emma Walden (Meg Ryan) is the chief debate for determining whether the Captain would be posthumous awarded the Medal of Honor. M16A2 rifles can also be seen in the hands of other U.S. soldiers at U.S. bases during the film. The M16A2 in the film is also shown firing in sustained automatic bursts like an M16A3, despite the M16A3 being unavailable during the time of the Gulf War.
FN C9 Light Machine Gun
Another prominent weapon in the film is an FN C9 light machine gun, a variant of the FN Minimi, fitted with a heat shield to resemble the M249 SAW. It can be identified as a C9 by the open front sights as opposed to the hooded front sights on the M249 and Minimi. It is used by Staff Sergeant John Monfriez (Lou Diamond Phillips), who comes along on Captain Walden's medivac helicopter as a door gunner.
Beretta 92FS
Several U.S. Army soldiers including Captain Walden (Meg Ryan) can be seen carrying Beretta 92FS pistols throughout the film. Serling's fellow tank commander Captain Boylar (Tim Ransom) is seen with a Beretta in his holster at the beginning of the film. Captain Walden uses hers during a standoff with Staff Sergeant Monfriez and Specialist Ilario (Matt Damon) is also seen with the Beretta during various retelling of the events.
Heckler & Koch P2A1 Flare Pistol
At one point in the film, Captain Walden orders the chopper's auxiliary fuel bladder be dropped on an Iraqi tank and used as a makeshift firebomb, Staff Sergeant Monfriez using a Heckler & Koch P2A1 flare pistol to set off the bladder once it hits the tank.
SIG-Sauer P220
At one point in the film, SSG Monfriez pulls a SIG-Sauer P220 on Serling while they are riding in Monfriez's car.
RPD Light Machine Gun
During the battle at Al-Bathra, some Iraqi Republican Guard soldiers can be seen armed with RPD light machine guns.
Norinco Type 56
During the scenes set in Iraq, Iraqi Republican Guard soldiers can be seen armed mostly with Norinco Type 56-series rifles, both the standard Type 56 and the folding-stock Type 56-1.
Fake DShK Heavy Machine Gun
Several times during the film, Iraqi T-54 tanks can be seen fitted with DShK heavy machine guns mounted atop the turret is a mocked up M2 Browning HB. You can spot the mocked up Browning by the see through addition on the top cover.
M60 Machine Gun
During the battle at Al-Bathra, Col. Serling's tanks can be seen fitted with M60D machine guns (identifiable by the muzzle brake and front sight) at the Loader's hatch, standing in for the M240D machine guns mounted on real Abrams tanks. In another scene, soldiers are shown low-crawling under barbed wire while an M60 machine gun is fired over their heads.
M1903A3 Springfield
In a couple scenes, soldiers can be seen marching and drilling using ceremonial M1903A3 Springfield rifles fitted with white slings and having the metal parts chromed.
General Dynamics M197 Vulcan
Seen chin-mounted on the AH-1 Cobras in the film is the three-barreled version of the GE M61 Vulcan, the General Dynamics M197 Vulcan.
M18 Smoke Grenade
When friendly forces arrive to rescue the crash survivors, an M18 smoke grenade is used to mark their location. In most of the survivors' accounts of the events, the grenade is thrown by Sergeant Steven Altemeyer (Seth Gilliam), but in Specialist Ilario (Matt Damon)'s truthful account, he's the one who throws it.
