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.”

Jaksot(427)

The Abuser's Tale

The Abuser's Tale

Victoria Derbyshire hears from men who've been violent towards their partners. Plus Victoria finds out more about "perpetrator programmes" which try to prevent abusers' behaviour. Warning: this programme contains strong language and descriptions of abuse from the start.

13 Loka 201351min

GP healthcare debate

GP healthcare debate

What do you think of your GP? What does your GP think of you? Health care professionals and listeners try to answer these questions in 5 live Breakfast's half hour debate on GP care. Plus, the NHS's Chief Inspector of GPs for England, Professor Steve Field, gives his first national broadcast interview since starting his job.

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Leader of EDL Tommy Robinson steps down

Leader of EDL Tommy Robinson steps down

Tommy Robinson speaks exclusively to 5 live Breakfast's Nicky Campbell about why he's chosen to stand down from the far-right English Defence League.

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Underage Drinking

Underage Drinking

Exclusive figures obtained by the Victoria Derbyshire programme on 5 live reveal the true extent of underage drinking in the UK. The programme has discovered that nearly three hundred children aged 11 or younger went to A&E last year for an alcohol related condition. In total, 6,500 children aged 17 and under were admitted to hospital in the last year as a result of drinking.

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Energy Day highlights

Energy Day highlights

Anna Foster presents highlights from Energy Day, when 5 live discussed key issues from the energy debate, as well as trying to power a radio studio entirely from renewable sources of energy.

29 Syys 201350min

Victoria Derbyshire - Scottish Independence

Victoria Derbyshire - Scottish Independence

Victoria Derbyshire is in Glasgow, a year to go before Scotland gets to vote on whether or not to go it alone as an independent country

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Sir David Frost Tribute

Sir David Frost Tribute

A tribute to broadcasting giant, Sir David Frost who has died at the age of 74.

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Ed Miliband with John Pienaar

Ed Miliband with John Pienaar

The Labour leader Ed Miliband tells Drive the House of Commons made the right decision by refusing to rush to military action in Syria. But he says Britain still has enough weight in the world to make a difference. Hear his interview with John Pienaar here:

30 Elo 201317min

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