One person who would give a balanced view of Sharkey Ward was the former Captain of the Invincible, J.J.Black. He would say that although Sharkey could be opinionated to the point of obnoxiousness he was the most experience and capable Sea Harrier pilot. When it came to the Sea Harrier he knew what he was talking about. Unfortunately his pushy personality would get in the way and would brush others up the wrong way. For that they chose to ignore his sound advice. How is that a good way to run the Navy or the military in general? Peoples lives are put at risk because he has offended someone?
Sandy Woodward should have been aware of who within his command had the best knowledge of their various departments and used them. For the Sea Harrier he did not do so.
Sharkey's comments have been taken out of context and largely twisted. Of course he doesn't help his own case by his comments about the RAF needing 24 hours notice, etc.. He was extremely complimentary of the RAF pilots flying the Harrier and the Sea Harrier. He had nothing bad to say about the aircrew who flew the Vulcans and Victor tankers. He did express an opinion about the wisdom of the RAF Vulcan missions and was right to do so. They were not going to achieve much, didn't do so, were extremely expensive and were largely for the RAF senior officers to show that they could get involved.
There appear to be a number on this forum who seem only capable of spitting vitriol from a keyboard. You are free to do so but it doesn't make you right.