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.”

Avsnitt(433)

That Time of the Month: Review of 2025

That Time of the Month: Review of 2025

Naga is joined by Dr Nighat Arif and Dr Christine Ekechi to look back on some of the That Time of the Month episodes from 2025. First broadcast on BBC 5 Live 23 December 2025

23 Dec 50min

That Time of the Month: HRT your questions

That Time of the Month: HRT your questions

Naga is joined by Dr Nighat Arif and Dr Christine Ekechi to answer your questions about HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). First broadcast on BBC 5 Live on 9 December 2025

9 Dec 48min

That Time of the Month: Ovarian cancer

That Time of the Month: Ovarian cancer

Leila Nathoo sits in for Naga Munchetty. She speaks to Hannah Lane about being diagnosed with ovarian cancer and her life living with the condition. She’s also joined by regular experts Dr Nighat Arif and Dr Christine Ekechi. First broadcast on BBC 5 Live on 18 November 2025

19 Nov 56min

That Time of the Month: Pelvic Girdle Pain

That Time of the Month: Pelvic Girdle Pain

Naga and the doctors are joined by Vicky Roberton to talk about pelvic girdle pain. It’s a condition which affects around 1 in 5 pregnant women. It doesn’t impact the health of their baby but it can affect their own mobility, quality of life and mental health. Naga, Dr Nighat Arif and Dr Christine Ekechi speak to 5 Live listeners and answer their questions.”

16 Okt 40min

That Time of the Month: Vaginismus

That Time of the Month: Vaginismus

Naga is joined by singer-songwriter Lucy Wroe to talk about vaginismus. It’s a condition which causes the vagina to suddenly tighten up when you try to insert something into it, for example using a tampon or having sex. It can be extremely painful and upsetting and it can impact your daily life and your mental health. Naga is also joined by Dr Nighat Arif and Dr Christine Ekechi to hear 5 Live listeners stories and answer their questions.

30 Sep 50min

That Time of the Month: Teen special

That Time of the Month: Teen special

Naga is joined by Dr Nighat Arif and three young women to talk about topics including periods, hormones and mental health. Tilly, Evie and Ella recorded the special episode of That Time of the Month as part of 5 Live and Bitesize's Teen Summit.

17 Sep 35min

That Time of the Month: Dads, Daughters & Periods

That Time of the Month: Dads, Daughters & Periods

Naga and the team are joined by blogger and father of two girls, John Adams, and Hannah Routledge, who is a mum of two and works for the period poverty group Hey Girls, to chat about how dads can talk to their daughters about periods. That Time of the Month, part of 5 Live’s Me, My Health & I series. Get in touch via @bbc5live on social media.

5 Aug 49min

That Time of the Month: Lobular breast cancer

That Time of the Month: Lobular breast cancer

Naga and the team are joined this month by Darlaine Honey, who was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer and is a co-founder of the group Lobular Breast Cancer UK, and Professor Rob Clarke, who is professor of breast cancer biology at the University of Manchester and is leading the Lobular Moonshot project to find an effective treatment. Lobular breast cancer makes up around 15% of all breast cancer cases in the UK. Unlike Ductal Breast Cancer, lobular grows in a line or as single cells and rarely forms a lump so it’s much harder to spot. That Time of the Month, part of 5 Live’s Me, My Health & I series. Get in touch via @bbc5live on social media.

23 Juli 48min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

motiv
svenska-fall
aftonbladet-krim
p3-krim
spar
politiken
rss-krimstad
rss-viva-fotboll
rss-sanning-konsekvens
flashback-forever
fordomspodden
aftonbladet-daily
blenda-2
rss-frandfors-horna
rss-krimreportrarna
olyckan-inifran
rss-vad-fan-hande
rss-flodet
dagens-eko
krimmagasinet