<P> U.S. Navy door gunners now provide stand off security against attack by small craft . U.S. Army crew chiefs in UH - 60 and CH - 47 units serve as gunners in addition to their maintenance duties . Today, the term "door gunner" usually applies to those personnel that are not qualified crew chiefs and thus don't fly operationally (the exception would be maintenance personnel that are on flight status for test flight purposes in the aviation maintenance company within aviation battalions; in this case these personnel do not fly often). </P> <P> The modern door gunners are normally drawn from support soldiers within the aviation battalion, detailed from his or her company to one of the flight companies within the battalion . Upon notification of an upcoming deployment to a hostile fire zone, an aviation unit is allowed to select and train personnel assigned to the unit for the duration of the deployment (flight status is terminated upon completion of the deployment). They normally undergo a specified training period (normally referred to as a "progression") and then assume part - time or, in some cases dependent on the needs of the companies and the battalion as a whole, full - time flying duties . Duties range from preparation of the machine guns (typically M240 model weapons), performing inflight observer duties, and assisting the crew chief with maintaining the aircraft . </P> <P> After completing a certain number of combat missions Army door gunners are eligible for the award of the Army Aviation Badge . </P> <P> U.S. Air Force door gunners are now called Special Mission Aviators (AFSC 1A9X1). These SMAs fly on HH - 60G Pavehawks, CV - 22 Ospreys and UH - 1N Hueys . SMAs replaced the former position of Aerial Gunner and Helicopter Flight Engineer, combining all duties . Besides manning the machine gun, they are responsible for weight and balance, take - off and landing data, preflight, radios, defensive systems, scanning, hoisting, deploying ropes and must be proficient in NVG operations . </P>

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