MHAC is concerned that military drone operations are being supported by intelligence gathered by US military bases in the UK. There is good evidence to believe that drone strikes exacerbate tensions and facilitate the recruitment of militants. The noise from drones flying over areas for long periods of time is a source of stress to all living in the area. Drone pilots are now being reported as suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, possibly because they exposed to high definition pictures of the damage caused in strikes to people, animals and homes.
Article in INTERCEPT on 17th July 2018: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180717-uk-drone-personnel-could-be-liable-for-war-crimes/
See also the Parliamentary Reports on the use of drones for Targeted Killing Second Report 2015 - 2016.
A further report was released in 2016 - 2017 which reported little progress in clarifying the government's position.
Flow charts explaining the legal decision making process for lethal drone strikes are here.
The United States plans to start flying drones out of the UK, probably from RAF Fairford, in 2024. There is a useful report from Drone Wars. The surveillance carried out at Menwith Hill is likely to be involved in targeting these drone.
