Not fake. It was on all of the USN social media accounts including the official DVIDS site (that image is from Instagram).
When the issues were pointed out the USN PAO quickly removed all of the posts with that picture from all of its social media accounts.
@Render @voltronic @AnneW Sincere question: Why is that possible. I.e. When a tool only works in one direction the mounting point can dictate it goes on correctly, like the hot shoe mount on a camera. Does the scope mount point accommodate other attachments?
MY guess - The ships Armorer was only told of the photo op and not that there would be actual shooting. Captain demanded a loaded mag and went blasting without aiming.
It's called a Picatinny rail and all US military issue rifles and most machine guns have them now. They are universal.
@Render @voltronic @AnneW
I mean that does not look symmetrical. How does something get in there backwards? I need to see one.
@b4cks4w @Render @AnneW
If a ship's armoror doesn't know how to mount a scope the right way on a rifle, then I question their competency in their regular assigned duties.