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

5 live's round-up of day 11 of the General Election campaign, including a row over the UK's nuclear deterrent and a Conservative minister accusing Ed Miliband of being a "backstabber". Plus John Pienaar on the Lib Dems' battle bus with Nick Clegg, our reporters with the Tory, Labour and UKIP campaigns, and the Greens’ musical twist on the party political broadcast.

9 Huhti 201510min

Election Report

Election Report

5 live's round-up from day 10 of the general election campaign trail including reaction to the shadow chancellor Ed Balls vowing to end non dom status. Plus we hear from our correspondents from around the UK who are following the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives, UKIP and Labour.

8 Huhti 201513min

Election Report

Election Report

5live's chief political correspondent John Pienaar gives us a round-up from day 9 of the general election campaign trail, including reaction to former Prime Minister, Tony Blair being part of Labour's campaign. Plus we hear from our correspondents from around the UK who are following the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives, UKIP and Labour.

7 Huhti 20158min

Election Report

Election Report

5 live's chief political correspondent John Pienaar gives us a round-up of day 4 of the general election campaign trail including a look ahead to the first televised leaders' debate. And in true 5 live Sport-style, Jonathan Overend, Cornelius Lysaght, Ian Dennis, Iain Carter, Chris Jones, Conor McNamara and John Murray consider who might come out on top after the 2 hour encounter.

2 Huhti 201512min

Election Report

Election Report

5 live’s chief political correspondent John Pienaar reviews the last 24 hours of the general election campaign alongside Jonny Dymond, Peter Hunt, and Chris Buckler. Today the Conservatives and Labour battle over which party is most on the side of business, while the Lib Dems focus on their plans for extended paternity leave for new dads. And as a new row opens up over the 40p income tax threshold, UKIP accuses Labour of being out of touch with working people.

1 Huhti 201511min

Former Chief Prosecutor talks about grooming, celebratory convictions and radicalisation

Former Chief Prosecutor talks about grooming, celebratory convictions and radicalisation

Peter Allen spoke to Nazir Afzal. He's just stood down as one of the country's chief prosecutors. He's been involved in some of the UK's biggest criminal cases of recent times, including the conviction of 9 Asian men for the sexual abuse of 47 young girls in Rochdale, and the prosecution of Stuart Hall on sex offences. Peter asked him about those cases - and also about his fears of a so called "Easter Exodus" as pupils who may have been radicalised head for Syria to fight for ISIS..

1 Huhti 201523min

Election Report

Election Report

Tony Livesey and Anna Foster with a review of day two of the election trail, alongside 5 live's chief political correspondent John Pienaar. It's a day that's been dominated by arguments over the economy, but we've also had the announcement of Plaid Cymru's manifesto, and the reality TV star Joey Essex interviewing Nick Clegg.

31 Maalis 201514min

Election Report

Election Report

Tony Livesey and Anna Foster review day one of the General Election campaign along with our chief political correspondent John Pienaar and our correspondents on the campaign trail. David Cameron had an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace to confirm the dissolution of parliament, before heading out on the road...Ed Miliband's focus was business and he attacked the Conservative's pledge to hold a referendum on Europe...for the Lib Dems, Nick Clegg insisted his "plucky party" can defy the polls, while Nigel Farage suggested UKIP has the potential to become one of the key players in British politics.

30 Maalis 201517min

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