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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Life After The Forces

Life After The Forces

5 live Breakfast asked 'What's life like after the forces?' A special programme was broadcast from the Poppy Scotland Welfare Centre in Inverness, an advice centre on the city's high street. More than a hundred thousand people who used to be in the British armed forces now live in Inverness, Rachel Burden heard problems ex-service people face when they leave - and about the help that's there for them too.

28 Huhti 201433min

I was abused by Cyril Smith

I was abused by Cyril Smith

Eddy Shorrock was 17 and living at a hostel in Rochdale called Cambridge House when Cyril Smith came to visit. He described what happened to Victoria Derbyshire – and his anger as the MP rose to become a national figure. The assault he believes scarred him for the rest of his life.

28 Huhti 201411min

Dying Dad writes a letter to his 5 year old daughter.

Dying Dad writes a letter to his 5 year old daughter.

Tom Attwater is 30 and has terminal cancer. He's devoting the time he has left to raising funds for the treatment of his 5 year old stepdaughter Kelli, who is battling the rare childhood cancer neuroblastoma. He has also written Kelli a heartfelt letter she can read after he has passed away. Tom told Stephen Nolan his story....

4 Huhti 201436min

Teenage Cancer Trust Gig at The Albert Hall

Teenage Cancer Trust Gig at The Albert Hall

Richard Bacon speaks to doctors, campaigners and teenage cancer survivors at the Royal Albert Hall - as it hosts a week of special concerts for the Teenage Cancer Trust. He also speaks to Kris and Maren Hallenga, stars of a TV documentary about living with terminal breast cancer - and to comedian John Bishop.

25 Maalis 201449min

Torture survivors share their stories

Torture survivors share their stories

With rare access to the Freedom from Torture centre in London, Dominic Laurie and Shelagh Fogarty speak to survivors of torture and find out how hard it is to rebuild the lives of people who have suffered at the hands of brutal regimes.

21 Maalis 201429min

Stephen Nolan speaks to Tony Benn

Stephen Nolan speaks to Tony Benn

Another chance to hear Stephen speaking to Tony Benn just before Christmas 2013, not long after he released the eighth and final volume of his diaries, A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine. He started by talking about his feelings on approaching the end of his life.

14 Maalis 201418min

Stephen Nolan - Diary of an anorexic

Stephen Nolan - Diary of an anorexic

Stephen Nolan hears the very honest perspective of a father who lost his 17 year old daughter to anorexia.

15 Helmi 201431min

William Hague on Britain "taking the lead" at wildlife crime talks

William Hague on Britain "taking the lead" at wildlife crime talks

The Foreign Secretary William Hague told 5 live Breakfast that Britain is taking the global lead on tackling wildlife crime, because it's uniquely well placed to do so.

12 Helmi 201414min

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