When a gun team observes an immediate threat, what is the first action they should take?

When a gun team observes an immediate threat, the primary action they should take is to return fire. This is crucial because returning fire serves as a means of self-defense and protects the gun team and their position against an imminent threat. Immediate threats may pose a significant risk to personnel and equipment, and responding decisively can neutralize the danger and potentially deter the aggressor.

Additionally, returning fire helps to establish effective control of the situation, allowing the team to engage the enemy and shape the battlefield. It is about maintaining the initiative and ensuring the gun team can fulfill its mission while safeguarding its personnel.

Other options like calling for support or communicating with command, while important actions in different circumstances, may delay the response. Shifting fire can be necessary under certain conditions, but the priority remains in effectively engaging the immediate threat at hand to protect the team and their mission.