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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Shelagh Fogarty - Loneliness

Shelagh Fogarty - Loneliness

Shelagh visits the Pear Tree Centre in Milton Keynes. It's a day centre run by Age UK that acts as a lifeline for some of the loneliest people in society. She hears the stories of visitors to the centre, and discovers that it's not just older people who feel chronically lonely. She also talks to the Health Minister Norman Lamb just over a fornight after the government said the number of chronically lonely people in the UK was a source of "national shame".

5 Marras 20131h 29min

Shelagh Fogarty - Immigration Debate

Shelagh Fogarty - Immigration Debate

Shelagh Fogarty asks should we worry about eastern European immigrants? 5 live listener Mihai Ratiu, who moved to Britain from Romania 7 years ago talks to Migration Watch, the deputy leader of UKIP, and others ahead of January's relaxation of restrictions on the employment of some eastern Europeans in the UK.

1 Marras 201330min

Stephen Nolan with Sir Stuart Rose

Stephen Nolan with Sir Stuart Rose

Stephen talked to the former executive chairman of Marks and Spencer Sir Stuart Rose

28 Loka 201325min

Matthew Etherington on his gambling addiction

Matthew Etherington on his gambling addiction

Stoke City's Matthew Etherington speaks exclusively about the true extent of his gambling habit. He reveals he would spend up to £40,000 per month and turn to loan sharks when that money was gone.

24 Loka 201317min

Bob Geldof with Stephen Nolan

Bob Geldof with Stephen Nolan

In a powerful interview, Bob Geldof talks to Stephen Nolan about the battles he's faced through his life. He describes the loneliness and suicidal thoughts he felt after Paula Yates left him. He describes his battles with tabloid newspapers, and what it's been like reforming the Boomtown Rats. And he talks about becoming the first Irishman to go into space. Caution: this interview contains some strong language.

18 Loka 201341min

Ray Davies - one on one with Stephen Nolan

Ray Davies - one on one with Stephen Nolan

He's the man behind classic hit songs like Lola, You Really Got me, and Waterloo Sunset. Stephen Nolan's one on one interview is with Ray Davies from the Kinks.

13 Loka 201323min

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.

13 Loka 201326min

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