Brandon Bryant, a former U.S. Air Force drone operator, is breaking his silence about the hidden costs of modern warfare. Enlisting in 2005, Bryant spent years piloting drones from a base in Nevada, executing thousands of strikes and surveillance missions across Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa. Now, he reveals how the psychological toll of those missions haunts him long after his honorable discharge in 2011.
In a candid interview, Bryant recounts his training at Creech Air Force Base, where he learned to operate Predator drones. He describes his first strike as a moment that ‘seared itself into his soul’, questioning the human impact of remote warfare. “You’re told you’re saving lives,” he says, “but the guilt doesn’t disappear when you power down the screen.”
Bryant’s story sheds light on the mental health crisis among veterans of asymmetrical conflicts. Studies show over 20% of drone operators report high stress levels, with many struggling to reconcile their roles. His testimony challenges the perception of ‘risk-free’ warfare, urging a global conversation on ethics, accountability, and the invisible wounds of tech-driven combat.
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Ex U.S. drone operator: 'I'll always be tormented by my guilt'
cgtn.com
