OPERATION TELIC 1 (RAF MOBILE NEWS TEAM TAPE 57) [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: OPERATION TELIC 1 (RAF MOBILE NEWS TEAM TAPE 57) [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: BFR 277
  • Other titles: RAF STRIKE COMMAND MOBILE NEWS TEAM, 2001 [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: Scenes at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, including sequences shot using an image intensifier (casting a monochrome green glow) in a bunker, and shots of Storm Shadow cruise missiles being fitted to a Tornado GR4 aircraft.
  • Description: START 00:00:03 Three-quarter moon in the sky. Camera moves down to show indistinct image of Tornado aircraft. Shaky shots of airfield lights and of Tornados taxiing and taking off at night. 00:02:32 Scenes inside bunker, shot with an image intensifier. Siren warning for a simulated NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) attack can be heard. Very poor camerawork and sound of cameraman's laboured breathing as he puts his respirator on (off-screen). Image stabilises to reveal the face of a man in a respirator and helmet. He is in a confined space (the NBC bunker). More confused shots (including RAF man without respirator and some explicit language on the soundtrack: "f****** marvellous innit"). Soldier (RAF Regiment ?) finishes putting on a full NBC suit by donning gloves and boots. Patch on his uniform identifies him as Corporal Fryer (this will be Craig Fryer, mobile news team correspondent). 00:10:37 Two soldiers check each others NBC suits for gaps. Woman's voice asks "is everybody okay?" as the camera pans to show all the personnel in the bunker. Main illumination is by small torches. Broadcast on the public address calls "All Clear", and a second siren sounds. Everyone removes their NBC suits with relief. Soldier records weary message for camera "...that's pretty much what it's like all night... gets you down after a while". 00:14:10 Second bunker sequence with image intensifier: siren sounds, shaky shots as cameraman struggles to don his NBC suit. Other occupants of the bunker secure their suits. One has trouble with his boots. Atmosphere is surprisingly relaxed, and there is some banter. Suited personnel sit on the bunker floor and talk. Some soldiers walk around. 00:19:42 Personnel watch television news coverage of Iraq; close-up of the face of one of the viewers. 00:20:22 Third bunker sequence (image intensifier once again). Close shots of personnel putting on their NBC suits. Sirens sound in the background. One soldier (in respirator) peers closely at the camera. Numbers are counted (there are nine people present). 00:22:45 Black screen; sounds of velcro being opened. 00:23:05 Brief shot of mess tent for RAF personnel. 00:23:28 End of sequence. 00:00:03 [Time code reset] Storm Shadow cruise missile is fitted to the underside of a Tornado GR4 aircraft (ZA547 of RAF 617 Squadron, "the Dambusters"). Nose of missile with red flag covering; engine nacelles of Tornado are also shown (intake cocooned). Technician works on panel on aircraft. Missile exhaust is checked and red cover put back in place. Technicians make final checks. Various views of aircraft with two missiles loaded, also long shots from outside the shield. "Aircraft armed" sign. Shot of missile crate (labelled "Approved by the Competent Authority of DGB/P101/134b and GB 02/03 MOD 100059") on the tarmac outside the Tornado shield. END 12:50:01
  • Alternative Title: RAF STRIKE COMMAND MOBILE NEWS TEAM, 2001 [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour: Colour
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: BFR 277
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © Crown copyright. IWM (BFR 277)
  • Featured Period: 2001-2025
  • Production Date: 2003
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Royal Air Force (Production sponsor) RAF Strike Command Media Services (Video) Mobile News Team (Production company)
  • 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: Mini-DV Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Tape length: 63; Running time: 36 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    BFR 277

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