HEADQUARTERS STRIKE COMMAND MOBILE NEWS TEAM ITEMS (TAPE 2) [Allocated Title]

Log in to create clips, download free screeners and save clips/films in Collections. Click here to find out more.


  • Title: HEADQUARTERS STRIKE COMMAND MOBILE NEWS TEAM ITEMS (TAPE 2) [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: BFE 390
  • Other titles: RAF STRIKE COMMAND, HIGH WYCOMBE VIDEOCASSETTE COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: Individual news items produced by the Mobile News Team (MNT) at RAF Strike Command, covering a wide range of RAF activities.
  • Description: I. Members of 1310 (Eryri) Squadron, based at a helicopter base in Split, Croatia, hold a Christmas party for children from a local orphanage. Squadron Leader Nick Sloan RAF (COS Split) says this is a way of saying "goodbye", as British forces are withdrawing. Enthusiastic children talk to the camera in faltering English. Santa talks with children. [Presenter Squadron Leader Howard Leader 7644 Squadron for MNT] II. Firefighters at Brach, Croatia, receive news fire appliances to replace those lost in a fire; these have been bought with money raised by RAF Benson as part of Operation Florian, a charity set up to provide fire equipment and training. Interview (in English) with Captain Nikica Maricic of the Marine Infantry Battalion, and former Mayor of Supetar. [Presenter Squadron Leader Howard Leader 7644 Squadron for MNT] III. Operation Calcutta, Croatia: British forces have been in Split since 1992 but are now leaving: Chinooks are loaded. Wing Commander Robbie Robinson RAF (Detachment Commander, Split) discusses the withdrawal and the Dutch contingent which is taking over. SFOR vehicle at Divulje Barracks, Split. Sea Kings and Chinooks helping with emergency rescue operations in association with a small barracks in Sipovo: interview with Lieutenant Richard Harrison, the IRT (Immediate Response Team) Mission Commander. Scenes on board Sea King helicopter; also interview with Lieutenant Jim Burchill about flying conditions in bad weather and over mountains. [Presenter Squadron Leader Howard Leader 7644 Squadron for MNT] IV. Montage of Split operations set to music: children's party, helicopters in flight, fire engine, Chinooks, general views of the Adriatic. V. Closure ceremony at RAF Brüggen, presided over by Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire, Chief of the Air Staff, who also discusses the changes in the RAF. General views of the parade, and a brief history of the airbase. Air Marshal Sir Ivor Broom (Station Commander 1962-64) talks about activities during the Cold War. Brüggen is later used for Tornado operations: Group Captain Tim Anderson, Station Commander, discusses the NATO Operation Allied Force in 1999 as an example of team spirit and commitment. [Presenter Squadron Leader Mike Cairns for MNT] VI. Profile of the reformed 28 Squadron, now based at RAF Benson and in charge of the new generation of Merlin helicopters. Wing Commander D J Stubbs (OC 28 Squadron) praises the Merlin. Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire takes the salute at the parading of the Standard, and is interviewed. Brief history of the squadron (old and new) with reference to the Gurkha connection. Interview with Tom Adams, Hurricane pilot and a veteran of the former 28 Squadron [Presented by Flying Officer Susannah Streeter from MNT] VII. Activities on Merseyside during Operation Fresco, tri-service emergency cover during the firemen's strike in July 2001. General views of "Green Goddess" fire engines in action, including night scenes of a major blaze at a scrapyard in Southport. VIII. Members of 99 Squadron load C17 Globemaster aircraft at RAF Brize Norton and prepare to fly to Macedonia during a ceasefire in the conflict between Macedonian troops and Albanian insurgents. Signallers from 30 Signal Regiment board the aircraft (they will be moving to Bosnia-Herzegovina to take part in Operation Harvest, an annual round-up of illegal weapons). Shots in flight. Night landing at Skopje. Signals convoy sets off. Interview with C17 loadmaster. [Presented by Flying Officer Susannah Streeter for MNT] IX. Exercise Saif Sareea II, Oman. Profile of the Medical Centre at Thumrait, built by the Royal Engineers but staffed by members of 22 Field Hospital, a Dutch strerilisation unit and a Tactical Medical Wing from RAF Lyneham. Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Bricknell, Commander of 22 Field Hospital, talks about his role. Health professionals of 612 Squadron RAuxAF at work in the hospital: interview with Squadron Leader Pete Mathew inside all the operating theatre: "we have all the facilities we need" Squadron Leader Alistair Douglas talks about an incident where the hospital saved the life of a soldier hit with extreme heat exhaustion who had a seizure. Major David Clough and Squadron Leader Alex Stewart are also interviewed. X. Montage of air-to-air refuelling sequences (taken from various sources including the US). XI. Eurofighter Typhoon named "Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire" is seen in close-up and in flight. On landing, Sir Peter climbs from the cockpit and descends to the tarmac, where he is presented with a silver salver [abrupt end.]
  • Alternative Title: RAF STRIKE COMMAND, HIGH WYCOMBE VIDEOCASSETTE COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour: Colour
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: BFE 390
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © Crown copyright. IWM (BFE 390)
  • Featured Period: 1990-2000
  • Production Date: 2000-10-31
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Royal Air Force, Strike Command Media Ops Corporate Communications (Production sponsor) Royal Air Force, Strike Command Media Services (Video) (Production company) Royal Air Force, Strike Command Mobile News Team (Production company) Leader, Howard (Production cast) Kearns, Mike (Production cast) Streeter, Susannah (Flying Officer) (Production cast)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English Title language: None Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: Beta-SP Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Tape length: 30
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    BFE 390

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
Register