Media

Harrier pilot turns guns on Cameron.

The Daily Telegraph, October 20 2010 – By John Bingham and Andy Bloxam.

Formidable force: Lt Cdr Kris Ward and his father Cdr Nigel “Sharkey” Ward are both highly experienced Harrier pilots.
Formidable force: Lt Cdr Kris Ward and his father Cdr Nigel “Sharkey” Ward are both highly experienced Harrier pilots.

“The son of a pilot decorated for his actions during the Falklands conflict publicly challenged David Cameron yesterday over plans to scrap the Harrier force.
Lieutenant Commander Kris Ward, 37, who is serving with the Fleet air arm and is one of Britain’s most experienced military pilots, told Mister Cameron he was now facing unemployment.

His challenge echoes outspoken remarks by his father Cdr Nigel “Sharkey” Ward who commanded a Harrier squadron in the Falklands but later criticised strategy.
During a visit by Mister Cameron to an Armed Forces operations headquarters in London, Lt Cdr Ward told the Prime Minister: “I am a Harrier pilot and I have flown 140 odd missions in Afghanistan, and I am now potentially facing unemployment. How am I supposed to feel about that, please, sir?”
Thanking him for his service, Mister Cameron said the decision to retire the Harrier was “right” at a time of “difficult decisions”.
Cdr Ward, 58, who has retired to Grenada said his son had “put his neck on the block” to represent the views of all Harrier pilots.”