IMAX film crew wraps session at Nellis

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chris Stagner
  • Air Warfare Center Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFPN) --  Filming wrapped for the summer here Aug. 22 on an IMAX film based on the Air Force and the mission of Red Flag.

The 45-minute, multimillion-dollar film is scheduled to be released in 2004, according to officials.

“IMAX is a spectacular venue in which to showcase the Air Force,” said Maj. Gen. Steve Wood, Air Warfare Center commander. “It is such a dramatic and overwhelming view of what we do. When finished, I think airmen will look at this film with pride for years to come.”

IMAX uses large-format 70-mm film images projected onto an eight-story-tall flat screen and 12,000-watt digital sound, according to officials.

“I’m really impressed by the young airmen I’ve encountered here doing their country’s work and want to do them justice through this film,” said Stephen Low, the film’s director.

The film will encompass many angles of the Air Force mission and the people who make that mission a success. The project involved airmen from Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Force Materiel Command.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase what Red Flag does, not only for Nellis, but for the U. S. Air Force,” said Col. Joel Malone, 414th Combat Training Squadron commander. “Red Flag provides a mosaic of what the Air Force brings to the table. If there’s one unit that brings all aspects of the Air Force together, it’s Red Flag.”

Red Flag is administered by the center’s 57th Wing. It provides a realistic airpower combat-training exercise involving the U. S. Air Force and the air forces of its allies, according to officials.

“The work of our Air Force and the coalition forces provides such a rich story line,” said Malone. “I’m glad IMAX is able to catch that on film and make it a part of Air Force history.”

Filming often ran from before sunrise to after sundown and took place in locations ranging from an auditorium to the airfield between both runways to the fire pit.

“This film is going to reach a huge population of recruiting-age men and women in the United States,” Wood said. “I think (airmen) will see it and have a renewed sense of pride in what they do every day and the important mission they accomplish for our nation.”

Filming will continue in October and November.