you are correct that JF Harrier was a bit of a disaster and most would admit that it was due to the RN's inability to keep up their end of the deal, in particualr supply half of the manpower.
In what way was it a "bit of a disaster"? In the way that both RAF and RN Squadrons were able to provide front line support to operations in Afghanistan while still remaining engaged in various shipborne and land based exersizes outside of operations? Not sure that this can be claimed a disaster. The main problem that the RN became sadly obsessed with was manning of QFI posts on the Front Line, something the RN, in the SHAR days at least, did not require.
I can't read this drivel without commenting on those who make comment on 'joint this' or 'joint that blah'. The people who will be affected one way or another by the Merlin Transition (train smash?) are, ironically the very ones making jointery work now.
Twas much the same in the Harrier Force. Those who were actually in the force seemed to get on just fine and get on with the job. Jointery can work.