EXERCISE BRILLIANT MARINER, MARCH 2006 (TAPE 6) [Allocated Title]

Media visit to Spanish Navy flagship. Journalists and members of JMOT (the Joint Media Operations Team) transfer from Castilla to the Spanish aircraft carrier Principe de Asturias by helicopter (no sound during most of this sequence). Briefings from senior staff including Captain Fernando Querol and Operations Officer Lieutenant Commander Alberto Gonzales. The briefings are in English and feature Powerpoint and video presentations.

SHOTSHEET (copied, without amendment, from accompanying Defence Media Operations Centre computer disc):

START 00:43:00 Reporters and JMOT1 staff walking out to helo for Transfer to the Principe de Asturias.

02:15:00 Spanish Air crewman kneeling by door of Sea king.

02:26:00 Various shots of Journalists in Sea king and Aircrew.

07:40:00 Helo lands on PDA.

10:35:00 JMOT and Journalists leaving aircraft.

12:24:00 Joining brief by the PDA's CO Capt Fernando Querol and the Safety Officer.

24:50:00 Welcome video presentation describing PDA's capabilities.

37:50:00 Camera miss fire, nice ladders and boots!!

38:49:00 Interview with Lt CDR Alberto Gonzales* the PDA's Ops officer.

40:18:00 What is the PDA capable of? "Our main capability is to provide air support to the forces ashore, currently we have 7 Harrier and with these we can provide air support to the troops on the ground. Mainly we have to task aircraft to provide close air support or strike when required... we have to be prepared also to protect our units from attack."

42:20:00 What role will the PDA play during the NEO? "We will provide air protection against enemy aircraft also we will support the troops on the ground and we have 2 Helos for transportation to bring personnel from ashore."

43:13:00 How do you support the troops on the ground? "We protect against enemy either on the ground or in the air and provide cover for our troops."

44:33:00 Has the PDA been tasked with defending the NATO fleet from the Oakland navy? "We have not had too yet we are mainly here to provide air defence."

45:53:00 Does support mean dropping bombs? "We are there to provide protection if it is needed."

46:04:00 "While conducting the NEO the aircraft will be there but no one will be aware of their presence as they will be high and on standby."

48:30:00 "This is a Close Air Support Mission CAS. The pilots will be in constant contact with Forward Air Controllers on the ground the decision to bomb a target will be made by the CO of the Marines ashore."

51:21:00 Are you concerned that if you drop bombs and they cause civilian casualties it will effect NATO's reputation in the area? "That is not my level to comment on that but our bombs are very precise... looking at situation we may not be able to drop bombs as the threat is a terrorist one and bombs may not be necessary."

52:51:00 Harrier operating from the PDA.

55:13:00 Tape ends.

Mini-DV