News 12 at 6 o'clock, June 26, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga -- Despite rain today, we are very much in a drought. Dry conditions is changing the training at Fort Gordon this summer.

A flare started a wildfire last week that forced evacuations on the army post. And today, the dry weather forced the Georgia Army National Guard to change their plans.

They're training to use this 50 caliber machine gun, but for now, they're just practicing with blank bullets.

"If it had rain or it plans to rain, we would have definitely been shooting with live ammo and training with that." says 2ND LT. Shane Clemons.

The live ammo has a fire ball that lets the shooter track their shots. But right now, conditions are just too dry and dangerous to chance it.

"Everyone in the state of Georgia knows it hardly rains, especially in the south. "adds 2ND Lt. Clemons.

This sapper company is a part of the 878Th Engineer Battalion of the Georgia Army National Guard. They've been training for two weeks, for missions here at home and overseas. They've been trained on weapons of many sizes, but the 50 caliber machine guns are some of the biggest.

"This weapon would be mounted on a lot of hum-v's and army vehicles and its primary use is against enemy army vehicles." says PFC Andrew Inglett.

The M2 50 caliber machine gun is the same kind they used in WWII and it hasn't changed much since.

2ND Lt. Clemons, "Our main priority here is to ensure that our soldiers know how to use the weapons and are prepared to use them if necessary."

The soldiers are aiming at targets roughly 800 meters away. The high powered weapon can shoot an object up to 3,500 meters away.

"It's pretty impressive to fire it actually. It thumps real loud and you can feel it in your chest and its just a real rush." adds PFC Inglett.

For now, these soldiers can practice their techniques, but the aiming and the feel of a live ammo will have to come later.

The battalion wraps up it's annual 15 day training Sunday, June 29.