'Weaponology' films in Rusk
BY LELAND ACKER

Two cameramen get in a fox l hole with re-enactors, who are portraying the French Foreign Legion in a segment for the popular television show "Weaponology." Alto resident Tom Townsend frequently supplies military vehicles and equipment to Hollywood for use in television and film projects. PHOTO: TOM TOWNSEND

Rusk will soon have another film credit to its resume as scenes from the popular television series, Weaponology, will appear in a program set to air on the Military Channel, a channel available on some satellite services at 9 p.m. Feb. 10. The program will chronicle the history of the French Foreign Legion.

"Nobody in the French Foreign Legion is French, except a few officers," said Tom Townsend, of Alto, owner of Toyland, which supplies military vehicles to film companies. "The French Foreign Legion is one of the oldest fighting forces in the world, beginning in the early 1800s. They are one of the top elite forces."

Mr. Townsend said the French Foreign Legion is a force of foreigners hired by France to carry out military missions.

"They're not normally brought into France," he said. "They only fought in France during World War I and World War II."

Mr. Townsend said the French Foreign Legion fought in North Africa, Algeria and Vietnam.

"They suffered heavy losses at Beinbenthu (in Vietnam)," he said. "That probably should have told us something when the Viet Cong ran the legion out."

The producers of Weaponology contacted Mr. Townsend to help with production due to his membership in the French Foreign Legion Historical Society. He was given the task of finding filming locations and casting the scenes shot in Rusk.

The scenes filmed in Rusk were shot at the New Birmingham Strip Mine near the KOA campground. The set featured trenches designed to resemble North Africa and Vietnam.

"The strip mine's incredible terrain allowed us to recreate scenes depicting the Sahara Desert, Algeria, Northern Europe and Vietnam, all within a few acres of each other," Mr. Townsend said. "We certainly hope to use it again."

Mr. Townsend said the film will focus on the weapons and tactics of the French Foreign Legion, adding that he supplied mortars and heavy machine guns to the production. He was also in charge of casting. Most of those cast in the program are members of the French Foreign Legion Historical Society.

Other projects Mr. Townsend has been involved in, either by appearing on-screen or supplying equipment include Pearl Harbor, Universal Soldier, Windtalkers and Roughriders.