RAF pilot: 'utterly horrific' drone warfare gave me PTSD

RAF pilot: 'utterly horrific' drone warfare gave me PTSD

A former military drone pilot says he has been left with PTSD after being put at risk of "psychological harm" for years on end while viewing "utterly horrific" things on screen. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Adrian Chiles, ‘Rob’ (not his real name) also said he became suicidal due to the way the armed forces dealt with his request for mental help. Rob was a member of 13 Squadron until 2017, a specialist team within the Royal Air Force which operate unmanned drone aircraft from a military base in the UK. The Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, or Reaper, was first used by the UK in Afghanistan in 2008 for surveillance, and later fitted with weapons. By March 2015 the UK had carried out some 70 drone strikes against so-called Islamic State (IS) targets in Iraq.

The MOD issued this statement, ‘‘We do not recognise the allegations made with respect to the working environment on our Reaper Squadrons. The RAF actively manages Reaper Force crews to ensure that their workload is manageable, sustainable and balanced, alongside providing world-class military healthcare for those that need it. “All allegations of civilian casualties are subject to extensive investigations. We continue to do everything we can to minimise the risk of civilian casualties through the rigorous targeting processes and the professionalism of our crews.”

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Should vaccinations be compulsory for schoolchildren?

Should vaccinations be compulsory for schoolchildren?

The health secretary Matt Hancock has said he is "looking very seriously" at making vaccinations compulsory for all children going to school in England. Some experts have suggested it may be necessary to address falling rates of immunisation and a surge in diseases like measles. 5 Live's Rachel Burden speaks to experts to answer questions about vaccinations and hear views from callers.

30 Syys 201945min

Where did Brexit go wrong?

Where did Brexit go wrong?

Theresa May’s former right-hand man, her Chief of Staff Gavin Barwell, tells Emma Barnett why he thinks she failed to deliver Brexit.

24 Syys 201926min

Thomas Cook: Your questions answered

Thomas Cook: Your questions answered

Travel expert Simon Calder and personal finance expert Martin Lewis take questions from 5 Live listeners about the collapse of Thomas Cook, in a special Your Call hosted by Nicky Campbell.What should you do if you’re on holiday at the moment, if you have a wedding planned, and what to do if you’re employed by the company?The tour operator has ceased trading with immediate effect, triggering the biggest ever peacetime repatriation, aimed at bringing more than 150,000 British holidaymakers home. 22,000 jobs are at risk worldwide, including 9,000 in the UK.Plus reporter Justin Bones speaks to passengers travelling from Orlando who were on the last ever Thomas Cook flight into Manchester Airport.

23 Syys 201946min

Gareth Thomas: ‘A journalist told my parents I was HIV positive’

Gareth Thomas: ‘A journalist told my parents I was HIV positive’

This week former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas revealed he was HIV positive, saying he wanted to ‘break the stigma’ around it. However he said he wouldn’t have done it, if a tabloid had not made threats to publish the information. In an emotional interview with 5 Live Breakfast presenter Nicky Campbell, Thomas criticised the fact a reporter approached his parents before the family had discussed it properly.

18 Syys 201913min

Behind the Supreme Court - with Baroness Hale

Behind the Supreme Court - with Baroness Hale

The Supreme Court is hearing two appeals to decide whether the Prime Minister's decision to suspend Parliament for five weeks during the run-up to Brexit was lawful.Overseeing proceedings is Baroness Hale, the President of the Supreme Court and one of the 11 justices hearing the case.Sitting judges do not speak very often, but back in June she gave 5 Live's Emma Barnett a rare glimpse inside the workings of the court.

17 Syys 201924min

Stories of Love and Separation

Stories of Love and Separation

What is it like to be separated from someone you love?Nihal Arthanayake speaks to three people forced to be apart: Danielle whose husband is in prison, Lisa Jones whose husband serves abroad in the military, and filmmaker Jeff Togman who was separated from his birth mother by adoption.

12 Syys 201935min

Boris Johnson's first PMQs

Boris Johnson's first PMQs

In his first Prime Minister's Questions, Boris Johnson clashes with Jeremy Corbyn over Brexit and the possibility of a snap election.Listen back to the first 40 minutes of debate, plus analysis and reaction from 5 Live's Adrian Chiles, BBC Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar, Guardian political correspondent Jessica Elgot and assistant editor of The Spectator, Isabel Hardman.

4 Syys 201950min

Parliament suspension: Are you outraged or ecstatic?

Parliament suspension: Are you outraged or ecstatic?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked the Queen to suspend Parliament days after MPs return to work.It means MPs are unlikely to have time to pass laws that could stop the UK leaving the European Union (EU) without a deal on 31 October.That exit date is written into law, so if nothing changes the UK will leave automatically - whether or not a deal has been reached.5 Live's Nicky Campbell asked listeners if they felt outraged or ecstatic about the move.

29 Elo 201930min

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