T110's Season of Goodwill and Peace on Ea... Ah, who are we kidding?

The_Chieftain: The loader in the Abrams GIF is wearing a mask because it's an NBC engagement. Close the hatches, turn on the NBC system, put on your mask. It's the only engagement where the hatches are all closed.   The breechblock is supposed to slide up on its own. Looks like they need to grease the breech a bit, the loader was just helping it along a bit. Fairly safe activity as long as he hasn't lifted the arming lever, which he hadn't.