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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In Short

In Short

Highlights from the last seven days on 5 live including the issue of loneliness, the spread of ebola and how to deal with violence on the pitch.

20 Loka 201450min

Paul Sherridan

Paul Sherridan

A British survivor of a Himalayan storm which killed at least 29 people, says "poor policy, poor systems and poor leadership" were to blame for the tragedy. Paul Sherridan, a police officer from South Yorkshire was among more than 200 trekkers caught in blizzards and avalanches in Nepal's Annapurna range. Rescuers are continuing their search for survivors. Paul spoke to Anna Foster on 5 live Drive from Kathmandu and said this was "a tragedy that could've been prevented". He also describes what it was like up there, saying he and many others were trapped "at 17,000 feet, in white out conditions, with no map, no compass and no knowledge of the area".

17 Loka 201417min

Stephen Nolan interviews Simon Hirst

Stephen Nolan interviews Simon Hirst

Radio presenter Simon Hirst has hosted commercial radio's Top 40 chart, he's best known as the host of weekday breakfast on Capital Yorkshire until June this year. But in an exclusive interview with 5 live’s Stephen Nolan he says he’s changing gender and will live life as a woman. He's already halfway through gender reassignment treatment, and this week has changed his name to Stephanie Hirst. This is the first interview where Simon has been addressed as Stephanie. So why tell the world now?

11 Loka 201443min

Stephen Nolan Mental Health Special

Stephen Nolan Mental Health Special

Stephen Nolan presents a special programme to mark World Mental Health Day. One in four of us will have a mental health problem at some stage in our lives. In this podcast you will hear from experts, politicians and those living with mental illness. Stephen looks at the treatments available and asks if there is still a stigma attached to those who have a mental illness. Stephen's guests include Rachel Bruno the daughter of former world boxing champion Frank Bruno who is bi-polar and former professional footballer Clarke Carlisle on living with depression.

10 Loka 20141h 10min

Racism in football

Racism in football

Former basketball star and equality campaigner John Amaechi challenges former football manager Dave Bassett over his use of the description "coloured" players in football. The debate on the Stephen Nolan show follows Jose Mourinho saying that "there's no racism in football"

4 Loka 201414min

Andy Hawthorne, founder of the Message Trust

Andy Hawthorne, founder of the Message Trust

Andy Hawthorne, the founder of the charity the Message Trust, which helps over 100,000 young people a year, talks about his life, going from fashion retailer to pop star to OBE for his work on tough council estates. And he tells Stephen Nolan why his faith in God drives him forward.

26 Syys 201426min

5 Live audience debate on the Labour Party Conference

5 Live audience debate on the Labour Party Conference

Stephen Nolan presents a live debate from the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, where members of the Shadow Cabinet answer questions from the audience about what a Labour government would do for them. He’s also joined by Shadow Education Secretary, Tristram Hunt, Shadow Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, and Shadow Business Minister, Ian Murray.

24 Syys 20141h 32min

Stephen Nolan's live audience debate on Scotland

Stephen Nolan's live audience debate on Scotland

Stephen Nolan is in Dundee with an audience of 5 live listeners. Dundee was one of only four places to vote in favour of independence. He's also joined by Alan MacDonald, Senior lecturer in Early Modern Scottish History at Dundee University and Richard Neville, editor of the Dundee Courier.

20 Syys 20141h 12min

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