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)

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 c...

26 Syys 201426min

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 t...

24 Syys 20141h 32min

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 M...

20 Syys 20141h 12min

5lnews: John Pienaar's Referendum Round-up

It's been the last big push in the Scottish Referendum campaign. 5 live's chief political correspondent, John Pienaar presents his final round-up from the campaign trail. Today's guests include The He...

17 Syys 201422min

John Pienaar's Referendum Round-up

With the Scottish independence referendum just two days away, 5 live's political correspondent John Pienaar presents a daily round-up from the campaign trail. Today's guests include The Herald's Westm...

16 Syys 201424min

John Pienaar's Referendum Round-up

On the last Monday before Scotland's historic vote on independence 5 live's political correspondent John Pienaar presents a daily round up of the 'YES' and 'NO' camps as polling day approaches. Guest...

15 Syys 201424min

Scottish independence - Big Big Debate reaction

Callers to Stephen Nolan and John Pienaar react to The Big Big Debate on Scottish independence.

12 Syys 20141h 4min

Scottish Referendum & Sport

Mark Pougatch is joined by BBC Sport reporter Chris McLaughlin, Commonwealth & European 800m silver medallist Lynsey Sharp and Former Hearts and Hibs footballer Michael Stewart to discuss the potentia...

10 Syys 201424min