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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Election Report

Election Report

Our political correspondent Chris Mason rounds up day 29 of the general election campaign, including reaction to the Green and Labour parties' pledges on housing. Plus, the Lib Dems tell us what would be a "red line" for them in any future coalition - education.

27 Huhti 201510min

You Call with Nick Clegg

You Call with Nick Clegg

It's the third of our big election Your Calls where you get to question the party leaders and senior politicians. The Liberal Democrat leader NICK CLEGG is with us at the BBC's Millbank studio in London. He's taking questions from a live studio audience.

24 Huhti 201547min

Election report

Election report

Our political correspondent Chris Mason gives us a round-up from day 24 of the general election campaign, including reaction to the ISF's analysis of four of the main parties' deficit reduction plans. Plus, we hear from our correspondents who are following the parties around the UK, covering everything else that's happening on the campaign trial.

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Election Report

Election Report

On Day 24 of the election campaign Ed Miliband tells Drive he'll form a Labour government which will be 'decided by the Labour Party' and we hear from our correspondents out on the campaign trail.

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Election Report

Election Report

5live's chief political correspondent John Pienaar gives us a round-up from day 22 of the general election campaign, including reaction to the SNP and Sinn Fein manifesto pledges. Plus, we hear from our correspondents who are following the other main parties around the UK.

20 Huhti 201511min

Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson was one of the founding members of the Supremes. Now 71, she's touring the UK with Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack and The Drifters. Dotun Adebayo asked Mary if she was happy being described as a legend.

18 Huhti 201526min

Clive James

Clive James

The writer and broadcaster Clive James was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010. Since then he has continued to write poetry and his latest work is entitled 'Sentenced to Life'. He tells Stephen Nolan why he should try reading poetry.

17 Huhti 201521min

Election Report 17th April

Election Report 17th April

Day 19: The leaders are back on the campaign trail after last night's debate and the Ulster Unionist Party launch their Manifesto.

17 Huhti 20156min

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