'Sharkey' Ward

Royal Navy Top Gun and Air Warfare Instructor, Sharkey was Senior Pilot of 892 Phantom Squadron in the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal during the Cold War. He introduced the Sea Harrier Fighter Aircraft to Naval Service, Commanding the Intensive Flying Trials Squadron 700A; 899 H.Q. Squadron; then 801 Squadron in HMS Invincible in the Falklands. Senior Sea Harrier advisor to the Command on all aspects of the fast jet air war, he flew over sixty war missions by day and night, achieved three air-to-air kills (& one damaged) and was involved in/witnessed eight further kills. During the war he was awarded the Air Force Cross for Services to Harrier Aviation and then decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry. Freeman of the City of London, Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and 1st place at Greenwich Staff College, he then served in the Ministry of Defence as Air Warfare and Air Weapons Adviser to the Naval Staff and the First Sea Lord before voluntarily retiring.