Heads Up Air Force Afghanistan Channel 5 8pm tonight

[Seldomfitforpurpose]

Melchette,

The official statement, like it or not I can where they are coming from bearing in mind the type of folk it is trying to appeal to.

A 6-part series Air Force Afghanistan featuring the RAF at Kandahar airfield will begin screening at 8pm on Fri 12 Jun on Channel 5.

KEY POINTS

• The series is a repackaged variant of the previously screened Channel 5 documentary series Warzone which was taken off air to allow it to be rescheduled in order to maximise audience figures.

• Channel 5’s analysis showed that Warzone was generally well received and, although it had a total of 1m viewers per week, this viewing figure could be improved by rescheduling the series in an alternative slot.

• Audience consultation indicated that the name Warzone gave a down beat view of the series and it has thus been renamed “Air Force Afghanistan”.

• The first episode of the “new” Air Force Afghanistan series will be a summary of the first 3 episodes of the previously screened Warzone and will then continue with 5 more episodes.

• Television documentaries are a core element of the RAF Engagement Strategy and provide an effective way of reaching out to a large element of our target audiences.

• RAF personnel should be made aware that this series has been designed to inform the general public and is not primarily aimed at the internal audience.

• Commanders are encouraged to inform their personnel about the screening of this series and the audience that it is designed for.

BACKGROUND

Channel 5 previously screened a series featuring the RAF at Kandahar Airfield under the title “Warzone” in January of this year. After 3 episodes, the series was withdrawn by Channel 5 with an intention to reschedule later in the year. Audience feedback about the series was generally positive but the viewing figures expected by Channel 5 were not achieved. Further analysis by Channel 5 showed that the viewing figures were not those expected due to extremely strong programming by other television channels and that the title “Warzone” was off-putting to some viewers.

Whilst the original series was being screened the RAF and RAF Careers websites experienced significant increases in activity on the days that Warzone was screened – for example, the RAF Website saw an increase in hits ranging from 30%-67%. Whilst the perspective of the RAF personnel and their reaction to the series is important it must be remembered that the documentary is aimed at civilians and, specifically, the Channel 5 market. As such, some of the commentary may seem ‘non-military’ to RAF personnel, but that makes it accessible to the general public. During the initial screening of Warzone, there was some internal disquiet – particularly with the first episode – where comments were made that the balance between the soft and hard sides of deployment was too biased towards the former and made a detachment to Kandahar appear an “easy” option. However, internal reaction was increasingly positive as the previous series progressed as the context became clearer and harsh realities of deployment became more obvious.

Against this background, Warzone has now been renamed Air Force Afghanistan. The series will be a 6-parts looking at life at Kandahar Air Base concentrating primarily on the RAF personnel who work at and protect the base. The series will cover all aspects of the RAF in Afghanistan including Harrier, Chinook, C130, RAF Regiment, Fire-fighters, EAW support, Medical and Air Bridge issues. The series also features members of the other Services (and some other nations) including RMP, Apache, Naval Strike Wing engineers and injured Army and RM personnel as they add balance to the series and help push the message that it is not just the RAF who serve at, or pass through Kandahar and enjoy the benefits. Importantly it also highlights that we work very effectively in partnership.

The series is very much based around people’s experiences allowing strong positive messages to come across from some impressive characters. IofR has already used Warzone footage to aid recruiting. Moreover, RAF recruiting advertisements will be screened when Air Force Afghanistan is running. The RAF has not censored the comments in the programme (apart from for OPSEC or where there is a chance of seriously destabilising relationships with other nations) as this allows individual’s true characters to come across. It tells the RAF’s story in their own words which is vital to attract and engage the general public.

SUMMARY

• The renamed Air Force Afghanistan documentary series raises the profile of the RAF on operations and will help educate the public about the breadth of support the RAF provides in Afghanistan.

• It profiles personnel from all ranks and trades and from previous showings of 3 episodes is likely to have a positive effect on recruitment.

• The series is designed for the general public and needs to be taken in context of all 6 episodes.