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.”

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Victoria Derbyshire: The Road To Rio

This podcast contains content that may offend. Victoria Derbyshire is in Rio to discover what England fans can expect at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

11 Marras 201349min

Stephen Nolan : Typhoon Haiyan

5 live news special on the relief effort in the Philippines after the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan.

10 Marras 201335min

Stephen Nolan: In The Air

Stephen Nolan reports live from the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit as he's given unprecedented access to the work of police helicopters in fighting crime. Reporter Lesley Ash...

8 Marras 201350min

Shelagh Fogarty - Concussion in Rugby

As a major conference gets underway at Twickhenham to look into the dangers of concussion in Rugby Union Shelagh speaks to Karen and Stephen Walton, the mother and stepfather on Ben Robinson - who die...

7 Marras 201315min

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 cent...

5 Marras 20131h 29min

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, ...

1 Marras 201330min

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

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