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(435)

#sextakeover

#sextakeover

Anna Foster is joined in Sunderland by a host of celebs, experts and an audience - for the UK’s biggest conversation about the nation’s sex life.How to do it well, and how to talk about it healthily. ...

20 Marras 20181h 25min

Simon Thomas: I'm 'beginning' to live after wife's death

Simon Thomas: I'm 'beginning' to live after wife's death

In November 2017, former Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas lost his wife Gemma, three days after she was diagnosed with cancer. A year on, Simon is in a new relationship. He says it’s not about replac...

6 Marras 201846min

The Real Lives of Spies

The Real Lives of Spies

5 Live’s Nihal Arthanayake meets six spies from the UK’s three main intelligence agencies, in the first ever joint interview with officers from MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. They explain what it’s like inside t...

23 Loka 20181h

A tribute to Aretha Franklin

A tribute to Aretha Franklin

Phil Williams hosts a special tribute to Aretha Franklin. He’s joined by "Blue" Lou Marini - the sax player from the Blues Brothers Band, fellow gospel singer and childhood friend Candi Staton, Corrin...

16 Elo 201853min

How can I stop being addicted to my phone?

How can I stop being addicted to my phone?

We’re all spending more time tapping, swiping and staring at our smartphones. The Solutions Project finds out how we can stop being so obsessed with them.

9 Elo 201825min

Camilla Thurlow investigates online radicalisation

Camilla Thurlow investigates online radicalisation

Love Island star Camilla Thurlow, a bomb disposal expert, investigates online radicalisation - and whether enough is being done to stop it.

2 Elo 201844min

Richard Bacon on Surviving Life-Threatening Infection

Richard Bacon on Surviving Life-Threatening Infection

TV presenter Richard Bacon talks to Colin Paterson about the illness that saw him placed in a coma for 9 days.

23 Heinä 201825min

Aimen Dean: Jihadi Turned Spy

Aimen Dean: Jihadi Turned Spy

Former Al Qaeda jihadi-turned-Mi6 spy Aimen Dean talks to Nihal Arthanayake about his time in Bosnia and Afghanistan, the moment he decided he had to bring the organisation down, and living a new life...

7 Kesä 201846min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
tervo-halme
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
viisupodi
rss-podme-livebox
rss-asiastudio
otetaan-yhdet
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
the-ulkopolitist
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
radio-antro
rss-kiina-ilmiot
rss-kovin-paikka
rss-polikulaari-pitka-kiekko-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-vain-talouselamaa