Title:EXERCISE COOPERATIVE NUGGET 95, LOUISIANA, USA [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BFB 48
Other titles:NORTHERN IRELAND ARMY INFORMATION SERVICES COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Scenes during Exercise Cooperative Nugget 95, a major multi-national peacekeeping exercise held in Fort Polk, Louisiana, with emphasis on the activities of 1st Battalion the Staffordshire Regiment.
Description: (Tape 1) I. Opening parade, watched by military VIPs and families. Paragliders descend from Chinook helicopters, flag raising (the NATO flag, although this is primarily a United Nations exercise). Multinational marching company made up of officers carrying the individual flags of participating nations; this is followed by a marchpast of units from the individual nations - seen are contingents from Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and the Ukraine. Speech emphasising the "absolutely historic" nature of the exercise.
II. Briefing by US officers concerning water purification and personal hygiene, and information about poisonous plants and animals which may be encountered.
III. Interview with Captain Hoskins (?) of 1st Battalion the Staffordshire Regiment about the different rules of engagement in this exercise compared to what the British Army soldier is used to.
IV. 1st Battalion the Staffordshire Regiment in the field: observing a huge tree spider, men filling their water canteens, marching through woods, discussions with various officers (including US officers). Interviews with Battalion members: problems with the heat and with the US-supplied dried rations ("not as good as we'd get back home"), good relations with other units. Brief vehicle convoy shot.
V. Training on the use of MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System), a gun sighting system for small arms.
VI. Interview with senior British Officer about the background to the exercise and of his own peacekeeping experience in Gorazde, Bosnia. [Abrupt end]
(Tape 2) Scenes include interview with Shaun (surname not given) and reaction shots (of interviewer ?) for media use, also patrol shots.
(Tape 3) No details.
(Tape 4) "Scene setters" - general views of Fort Polk sign, flags etc.
Alternative Title:NORTHERN IRELAND ARMY INFORMATION SERVICES COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
