On April 20, 2010, Marines from 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment were instructed on foreign weapons systems they may encounter in Afghanistan, such as the Yugoslavian Model 70 AK47 assault rifle, Russian and Chinese made 7.62x54mm rounds, and the Russian-made PKM light machine gun. Marines then practiced firing these weapons at Fort Pickett Army Base in Virginia in preparation for their deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom.