CAMP PENDLETON (NEWS 8) – Hollywood has turned to real Marines as extras in Wednesday night’s episode of CBS’ SEAL Team.
The 14th episode of the second season follows the BRAVO team as they embark on a special operations mission to take down the mastermind behind several terrorist attacks.
Authenticity isn’t created because the episode features real Marines and real equipment.
“Everything is 100 percent accurate. What we do, those are the tactics that I use in operations, so it’s real,” said Corporal Angelo Mangione, 1st Marine Combat Engineer Battalion.
The SEAL Team episode is the first in more than a decade to feature an Osprey and the new Viper and Venom helicopters in Hollywood, said Maj. Matthew Hilton, the U.S. Marine Corps Entertainment Media Liaison.
Marine Corps combat photographer Rhita Daniels also assisted but said she had no idea the crew would ask to use her video.
“I think my role is to film in civilian areas that we can’t get to when we’re flying in the plane,” she said.
It took two rainy days in January to film the episode.
“It was the first time I wasn’t so mad about being rained on and lying in the mud. [It was great],” said Corporal Angelo Mangione.
The SEAL TEAM Writers Twitter account tweeted: Camp Pendleton’s 125,000 acres have been the backdrop for more than 20 movies since the 1940s.
“Our doors are open. The lights are on. We’re here to support them as much as we can to make sure they get what they want and to highlight us, the Marines,” said Major Hilton.
Major Hilton told News 8 they’re currently processing 50 requests to film Camp Pendleton.