OPERATION TROJAN, 12 JUNE 2005 (ORIGINAL) [Allocated Title]

Coverage of Operation Trojan, a targeted search and arrest operation in Maysan Province to remove criminal elements in the area of Al-Majar al-Kabir. Mainly shot at night using an image intensifier.

Interview with Major Andrew Smallway (?) of the Staffordshire Regiment, Deputy Commander of Task Force Maysan, discussing Operation Trojan. He notes that the operation will be carried out with the support of the Iraqi Army and Police Service, and after consultation with the Governor of Maysan Province.

Image intensifier: troops gather by their Land Rovers prior to the operation. Soldiers inside cramped Land Rover; "loads of room", comments one. Arrival in street at Al-Majar al-Kabir; radio antenna on Land Rover is fixed and other preparations are made. Soldier sits inside Land Rover waiting (flashing light on the back of his helmet). Further street scenes as soldiers take up positions in target area and wait. Small section on foot patrol followed by Land Rover (camera position is at the rear of a second Land Rover). Back at target house, troops scale the outer wall of the compound using a ladder. Shaky street shots as camera is moved; camerawoman (offscreen) alerts one of the soldiers to a man on a nearby roof who appears to have a weapon. They move to a safe position behind a Land Rover. (The man is not visible on camera.) Brief interior shots (normal colour image) of the interior of the target house. Outside (image intensifier) several men are kept under guard; one is in a blindfold, and kneels down. (This appears to be on the roof of the house.) Back in the street, all appears to be quiet; suspects are led away. Interior, normal colour image: various shots of the house including interior of refrigerator and close-ups of a box containing weapons. Exterior (image intensifier): soldier crouches and keeps watch. Suspect is processed inside back of Land Rover. On roof, woman and child huddle together. Various colour shots: suspect in Land Rover, gate of target house. Interview with soldier (he discusses the targeting of five individuals and their houses in relation to improvised explosive device - IED - attacks; at this house various IED making equipment has been found). Soldiers bag suspect material for evidence, including wire; all the finds are inventoried. Close-up of seized grenade.

Interviews with Major Andrew Smallway and Captain Will Blackhurst Company second-in-command, after the operation; they concentrate on the the fact that local people were treated with respect and cultural sensitivity.

DVCam