5 Live News Specials29 Huhti 2021

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.”

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(438)

Lizard Squad hackers talk to Stephen Nolan

In their first broadcast interview since they claim to have hacked Xbox and Playstation consoles on Christmas Day, the group Lizard Squad, say they warned one of the manufacturers, Microsoft, that the...

27 Joulu 201421min

Children of the Tsunami

In the early hours of 26th December 2004 the third largest earthquake ever recorded struck the Indian Ocean. The result was a tsunami which travelled at 800 km per hour. As it reached the shores the w...

26 Joulu 201449min

Come Rain or Shine - 2014 weather review

From devastating winter floods to the hottest Halloween on record, it's been a year of headline making and record breaking weather. 5 live's Simon King is joined by Professor Liz Bentley, Chief Execut...

26 Joulu 201448min

A Life Less Lonely

Sarah Brett with remarkable stories from people talking about their own isolation and loneliness, and discovers how some are now taking time to reconnect with important people in their lives.

26 Joulu 201449min

In Short Review of 2014

Chris Warburton takes a look back at the biggest news and sport stories from 2014, as heard on BBC Radio 5 live.

25 Joulu 20141h 36min

In Short 21 December

Chris Warburton looks back at the week's news and sport including the Sydney coffee house seige and Taliban attack on a school in Pakistan.

22 Joulu 201449min

Stephen Nolan interviews Kiruna Stamell

Kiruna Stamell successfully sued the Post Office for discrimination because she could not reach the chip-and-pin machines at the counter. Kiruna was born with a rare form of dwarfism.

21 Joulu 201418min

Stephen Nolan interviews abuse victim Michael

In an extraordinary half hour of radio, Stephen Nolan talks to Michael, who calls in after Chief Constable Simon Bailey said that men sexually attracted to children should be treated as patients not c...

7 Joulu 201420min