The Eastern Daily Press sent a team of journalists out to the Gulf ahead of Christmas to report on life at a desert airbase for military personnel from the eastern region.

EDP defence writer Mark Nicholls, photographer James Bass and EDP24 web editor Pat Prekopp went to the al Udeid airbase to follow air and ground crew from RAF Marham’s XIII Squadron Tornado warplanes.

It presented a unique opportunity for the EDP, not only to produce words and pictures in real-time but also to produce a 17-minute video to run on the EDP24 website, adding a new dimension to coverage and strengthening the link between the paper's written words, website and moving imagery.

The trio had the opportunity to interview Tornado pilots flying over Iraq and also join one mission by flying aboard a VC-10 tanker to see air-air refuelling over the troubled country.

Dozens of personnel from RAF Marham are currently based out in the Gulf as part of the UK commitment to operations over Iraq.

Many of them spent Christmas in the Gulf, away from family and friends at home, and the EDP was able to publish messages home from them – in the EDP and online.

Writer Mark Nicholls said: "This trip presented a great opportunity for the EDP. Usually, there is only chance for a reporter to go and occasionally a photographer.

"But we talked to the Ministry of Defence about the additional platform we could provide on the EDP24 website and they went for the idea. While James and I concentrated on the words and pictures, Pat spent hours filming every aspect of life on the base to produce a comprehensive – and entertaining - video, as well as finding time to write a daily blog.

"There were long days, often starting at 6am and not finishing until well into the evening, but it was a good trip and well worth travelling all the way out to Qatar to see what life is really like for the Marham-based personnel."

The 17-minute film has footage of the jets being readied for take-off, air-to-air refuelling and sees air and ground crew in conversation with EDP journalists about their work.

It also portrays how personnel from XIII Squadron are helping to raise funds for their adopted charity, the Quidenham Children’s Hospice in Norfolk, with a series of events on the theme of the "The 13 Days of Christmas" to help keep them active during down time over the festive period.

Pat said: "To help us make this film, we were given unprecedented access to the air base and those who live and work on it.

"What we came away with was a vivid impression of the dedication and professionalism shown by these Norfolk-based military personnel and also how they continue with their work at Christmas, at what is a difficult time for many of them being away from home, friends and family."

See Operation Festive Spirit for more.