Meet the RAF's newest combat group: pilotless planes flying crack missions in Afghanistan from 8,000 miles away

They are the RAF’s newest squadron, flying crack missions against the Taliban over Afghanistan – but these pilots never have to leave the ground.

Instead the men of 39 Squadron work by remote control out of a darkened room in the Nevada Desert, 8,000 miles from the action.

They operate drone MQ-9 Reaper planes via video camera, while talking directly to controllers on the ground in Afghanistan.

On board the craft are four Hellfire anti-tank missiles and two 500lb bombs, which the RAF has just admitted to using against Taliban targets.

I was among the first to be given access to 39 Squadron and see inside the cramped ‘cockpit’ of a live Reaper operating over Afghanistan under control from Creech Air Force Base.

Flying has come a long way since the experiences of our Battle of Britain heroes.

Rather than risking their lives in the air, the pilots are free to leave the room mid-flight, get a coffee, do exercise, read a book or maybe phone their wives at their base near Las Vegas.