POTD: The M9 Service Pistol

Fancy shooting some M9 service pistol in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea? That’s what TFB’s Photo Of The Day is about this fine day. Above you see a Boatswain’s Mate on the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), as he fires said pistol during a live-fire exercise. The Beretta M9 has been in service since 1985.

Live-fire exercises like this are conducted periodically to gain and maintain proficiency.

Below you can see Senior Chief Engineman Luis Ramirez, also with the M9 pistol.

“New York is conducting operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area of operations as part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG)-24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC). The WSPARG-24th MEU (SOC) is on a scheduled deployment to the NAVEUR-NAVAF area of operations, supporting U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region, including the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, to continue promoting regional stability and deterring aggression.”

Do you ever train shooting prone, like in the first image? Without a red dot, it’s quite tricky, especially if the target is a lot higher than yourself.

Image and captions source: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse Turner.