United Nations Intelligence Taskforce

The United Nations Intelligence Taskforce (also known as UNIT) is a fictional military organization from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Operating under the auspices of the United Nations, its purpose is to investigate and combat paranormal and extraterrestrial threats to the Earth.

Organisation and equipment

UNIT's status is supported by enabling legislation that allows it to assume emergency powers when necessary. Although it operates under the authority of the United Nations, its members are seconded from the host country's military and are still bound to obey that chain of command. Lethbridge-Stewart, for example, reported to the Ministry of Defence and the Prime Minister. However, where such orders conflict, appeals can be made to Geneva. Due to the international nature of the organisation, it is sometimes viewed with suspicion by local military and national security agencies, who feel that it might impinge on their sovereignty. UNIT's existence is known to the public, but mainly as a security organisation; its actual agenda is classified, some believing it to be some kind of covert counter-terrorist unit.

Related Topics:
Legislation - Emergency - Chain of command - Ministry of Defence - Prime Minister - Counter-terrorist

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Its personnel have a wide range of weaponry to call on, some custom-made to combat specific threats. Among these are armour-piercing munitions for use against robots and Daleks, explosive rounds for Yetis, silver-tipped rounds for werewolves and vampires, and gold-tipped rounds for use against the Cybermen.

Related Topics:
Weaponry - Armour-piercing - Explosive - Rounds - Silver - Werewolves - Vampire - Gold - Cybermen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In The Invasion, UNIT had a command centre established in the cargo hold of a C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft. The Dæmons featured the UNIT Mobile HQ, a large bus-like vehicle that could be driven to the site of an incident.

Related Topics:
The Invasion - C-130 Hercules - The Dæmons

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Prominent members of the British contingent of UNIT included Liz Shaw, Sergeant Benton, Captain Mike Yates, Jo Grant and later, Harry Sullivan. Civilians who have worked with UNIT include the journalist Sarah Jane Smith. In The Claws of Axos an American agent named Bill Filer was sent from Washington to assist in the hunt for the Master.

Related Topics:
Sergeant Benton - Captain Mike Yates - Jo Grant - Harry Sullivan - Sarah Jane Smith - The Claws of Axos - American - Washington - The Master

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~