This is Lincolnshire -- Hundreds of protestors are now marching on RAF Waddington to show their opposition to the use of unmanned military drones in Afghanistan, which are being piloted remotely from RAF Waddington for the first time. Organisers expect around 500 people in the noisy and colourful, yet peaceful protest organised by CND, the Drone Campaign Network, Stop the War and War on Want. Banners read: 'Drones destroy humanity', 'Silence is shame' and 'Using drones is a war crime'. Protesters have come from far and wide from the likes of Kings Lynn, Tyneside and Coventry. Reaper MQ-9 aircraft based in Kandahar are being piloted by 13 Squadron from Waddington via satellite. Control from home soil is a UK first, doubling Britain's Reaper intelligence and surveillance capability to 10 aircraft. Drones also continue to be controlled by 39 Squadron, at Creech Air Force Base, in Nevada. The MoD says their use has saved countless civilian and military lives. MoD spokesman Damien Elvin said: "UK Reaper aircraft are piloted by highly trained professional military pilots who adhere strictly to the same laws of armed conflict and are bound by the same clearly defined rules of engagement which apply to traditionally manned RAF aircraft. "In all military operations everything possible is done to avoid civilian casualties and this is no less the case with Reaper operations."
Reported by This is 1 week ago.
This is Lincolnshire -- Hundreds of protestors are now marching on RAF Waddington to show their opposition to the use of unmanned military drones in Afghanistan, which are being piloted remotely from RAF Waddington for the first time. Organisers expect around 500 people in the noisy and colourful, yet peaceful protest organised by CND, the Drone Campaign Network, Stop the War and War on Want. Banners read: 'Drones destroy humanity', 'Silence is shame' and 'Using drones is a war crime'. Protesters have come from far and wide from the likes of Kings Lynn, Tyneside and Coventry. Reaper MQ-9 aircraft based in Kandahar are being piloted by 13 Squadron from Waddington via satellite. Control from home soil is a UK first, doubling Britain's Reaper intelligence and surveillance capability to 10 aircraft. Drones also continue to be controlled by 39 Squadron, at Creech Air Force Base, in Nevada. The MoD says their use has saved countless civilian and military lives. MoD spokesman Damien Elvin said: "UK Reaper aircraft are piloted by highly trained professional military pilots who adhere strictly to the same laws of armed conflict and are bound by the same clearly defined rules of engagement which apply to traditionally manned RAF aircraft. "In all military operations everything possible is done to avoid civilian casualties and this is no less the case with Reaper operations."
Reported by This is 1 week ago.