Heavy Weapon Assault Section

Heavy Weapons Assault Section (HWAS) - a Union Marine term referring to an infantry platoon equipped with machine guns, mortars up to 120mm, rocket-propelled grenades, grenade-launchers, anti-armor weapons, and/or other portable crew-served weapons.

A Marine heavy weapon section is generally used as a support group to a number of other platoons in the immediate command area/zone in question. A ratio of one heavy section to three basic infantry platoons is the accepted number, anything above or below this may result in a specialized "company" such as a rifle company, or a long-range support company. The addition of a HWAS can greatly increase the chances of victory in a combat zone, due to the unique specialist abilities the soldiers in that group can offer to the company.