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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FIFA Crisis

FIFA Crisis

Sepp Blatter says FIFA faces a "difficult time" as it's surrounded by corruption allegations. Seven officials have been arrested in Zurich as part of a US investigation. In total, prosecutors have charged fourteen people with racketeering, fraud and money laundering. One of those who's been charged is the former FIFA Vice President, Jack Warner. He's handed himself in to the authorities in Trinidad, but insists he's innocent of all the allegations. Phil Williams talks to BBC Correspondent Richard Conway in Zurich, Colin Sextone who was part of the 2018 England World Cup bid, Peter Coates chairman of Stoke City who used to sit on the Football Association's International Committee, also in Zurich the Guardian's chief sports correspondent Owen Gibson and 5 live's South American football expert, Tim Vickery who is Rio de Janiero tonight.

27 Touko 201530min

Colonel  Gerry Berry

Colonel Gerry Berry

Just over forty years ago, the US role in the Vietnam War ended. With the North Vietnamese army rapidly heading towards the South Vietnamese capital Saigon an air evacuation began. This podcast starts with a look back at how it was reported on the BBC at the time...

12 Touko 201524min

Election Report

Election Report

5 live's Chief political correspondent John Pienaar, alongside Anna Foster and Tony Livesey, review the final few hours of the general election campaign trail, as the main party leaders make their final bids for your votes.

6 Touko 201512min

Election Report

Election Report

5live's chief political correspondent John Pienaar rounds up the penultimate day from the general election trail, including reaction to the gaffe made by the vice chair of Labour's election campaign about Ed Miliband's manifesto pledges. Plus we catch up with our campaign correspondents who are out on the road with the parties' leaders.

5 Touko 201510min

Your Call with Andy Burnham

Your Call with Andy Burnham

5live's Friday Takeover.... Your Vote Your Call - Labour's Andy Burnham takes questions from 5Live listeners and a live studio audience. It’s part of a special series of Your Calls in the run-up to polling day. It's the voices of the voters that electrify any general election campaign and it's something we've been reflecting on Your Call throughout the campaign. We've already spoken to the Conservatives' Jeremy Hunt, the Lib Dems' Nick Clegg, UKIP's Nigel Farage, and Nicola Sturgeon from the SNP. This morning it's Labour's turn. The economy, the NHS, and benefits consistently come out as the issues of most importance to voters. Maybe you have questions on those subjects or something else entirely. What are your hopes and fears if Labour wins the election?

1 Touko 201547min

Election Report

Election Report

5 live's political correspondent John Pienaar, alongside Anna Foster and Tony Livesey, with the latest in general election campaign trail, including the Lib Dems accusing the Tories of wanting to cut child benefit and child tax credits when in coalition. Plus as some newspapers declare which parties they're backing, we ask if it will make a difference to voters.

30 Huhti 201514min

Election Report

Election Report

Anna Foster and Tony Livesey are joined by John Pienaar on day 30 of the election campaign, with reaction to UKIP leader Nigel Farage's claim that the SNP are responsible for anti-English hatred in Scotland, as well as Russell Brand's interview with Labour leader Ed Miliband. Plus we hear from our correspondents who are following the main parties on the campaign trail around the UK.

28 Huhti 201511min

Do newspapers still influence voters?

Do newspapers still influence voters?

The famous 'It was The Sun wot won it' headline followed the 1992 general election, but the ability of newspapers to influence voting intentions could be in decline, particularly with the rise of social media. Two former political editors, The Guardian's Michael White and The Sun's Trevor Kavanagh discuss whether politicians should fear the papers and how press coverage of this election compares with previous campaigns.

28 Huhti 201518min

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