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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Small Town Angst

Small Town Angst

In Marblehead, Massachusetts, a bitterly fought election causes dismay in a cradle of the American Revolution.

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US Election: American talk radio hosts

US Election: American talk radio hosts

Millions of Americans tune in to talk radio, but how is talk radio dealing with such an unpredictable campaign? Dotun Adebayo speaks to Thom Hartmann, the United States' most listened to progressive talk radio host and Jim Bohannon, host of the sixth most popular talk radio show in the country.

17 Loka 201626min

US Election: Satirists holding politicians to account

US Election: Satirists holding politicians to account

Dotun Adebayo looks at the role of comedians in the US political conversation in the company of two stand-up comedians; Michael Loftus, presenter of the right-leaning satirical news show “The Flipside” and a former writer for The Daily Show Alingon Mitra.First charting the rise of “The Daily Show with John Stewart” and then discussing how modern satirists are reacting to such an unpredictable race.

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US Election: Influencing the Result - The Alt Right

US Election: Influencing the Result - The Alt Right

Milo Yiannopoulos, Ben Shapiro, Nomiki Konst and Harlan Hill join Calum Macdonald to discuss whether the Alt Right may influence the outcome of the US Election 2016.

11 Loka 201640min

Drive in El Paso on US election trail

Drive in El Paso on US election trail

Head of local Democrats Iliana Holguin, head of local Republicans Adolpho R Telles & El Paso Times editor Bob Moore look ahead to the US presidential election with Anna Foster.

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5 live Drive: Key moments as the UK votes to leave the EU and David Cameron quits.

5 live Drive: Key moments as the UK votes to leave the EU and David Cameron quits.

The UK votes to leave the European Union, prompting David Cameron to announce he will step down as prime minister. Hear Anna Foster and Tony Livesy bring you the key moments as David Cameron resigns, Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage react to the news they'd fought so hard for, and Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon suggests a second Scottish referendum on independence might now be triggered.All that and reaction from those in highest office in Europe and the governor of bank of England.

24 Kesä 201652min

5 live Daily EU Debate from Dover

5 live Daily EU Debate from Dover

Peter Allen hosts a special EU referendum audience debate from Dover - featuring Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith from the Leave campaign and Labour MP Liz Kendall for the Remain camp

9 Kesä 20161h 28min

Your Call: Muhammad Ali Tribute

Your Call: Muhammad Ali Tribute

Callers pay tribute to Muhammad Ali, the former world heavyweight boxing champion, who has died at the age of 74.Ali was admitted to hospital on Thursday suffering from a respiratory illness, a condition that was complicated by Parkinson's disease and died at a hospital in the US city of Phoenix, Arizona.

4 Kesä 201644min

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