Would it be fair to state that the PM probably spoke first (it's the usual way)and span some line about the cuts being great and that they would result in world class relevant forces? If so it is only fair for someone to explain who they are and why it might seem odd for someone with such relevant skills to be facing such an uncertain future. He did not just shout it out, unbidden in the street now did he?

While I am aware of the ROE that states its fair to have a go at any Harrier driver (who has to be arrogant because some stacker at IOT said they were and it kind of stuck) I see nothing arrogant in anything he said. It is absolutely SOP in military circles to open with your name, rank, role and relevant experinece in any forum. In one that COIN or Herrick has just been discussed then what the f**k do you expect?

Before I forget, the gag about God not thinking he was a Harrier pilot doesn't actually work does it? Do you mean that the stovie thinks he's God? If so, re-write your joke. Good SOP banter by the way, works right up until the point you're exposed to wit.

Maybe, just maybe, this is the thin end of the wedge; maybe this officer took the SHAR retirement on the chin, maybe he moved his family across the country, maybe he re-roled to mud - just as the jags were being sent to AD. Maybe he worked hard through his second OCU. Maybe he took a single RN FW squadron on the chin. Maybe he has spent most Mondays for the last few years having to read another Torpy-gram about how great and relevant Typhoon is when he never saw it on ops, about how the FAA was irrelevant. Maybe he was in KAF when all the building was going on to make the GR4 fit in it. Maybe, just maybe he has had enough and quite rightly what came out of his mouth was impassioned and family-centric. He never said he was special, he never said he was scared or unaware of the real world.

And let's get one thing absolutely straight. He never said, meant or implied that no-one else was upset, in danger or not pulling their weight.

I for one will stand by this officer who will sadly, in all probability, never fly in the military again and certainly not off an RN deck. About time someone had the balls to stand up for themselves before they had a General's pay and pension. BZ.

I'm absolutely on the side of this harrier pilot. At no point should he, and indeed all of the other members of the forces be subject to such a stupid situation, especially when benefit cheats and the rest of that lot continue to scrounge off the state. This man hasn't refused to go to war or anything that serious, merely stated an objection to being dicked around by dave.


I had higher hopes for *Liam* Fox. Thought he might have fought a harder fight.

140
 

140, is that all? ;)

Support
 

Good to see some support for a gutsy RN pilot. The SHARs i believe are mostly stored at RAF Shawbury. The Indians wanted to buy them but then backed out- perhaps as they were able to fire AMMRAM the US blocked the deal. Some of the SHARs were only a few years old and actually pretty good machines. I think a lot of people miss the point- sure its a tough world outside but this guy has just been kicked in the teeth after giving his all. I guess hes 40+ so getting a job in the airlines will be a non starter or slim. It begs belief that this country Brown, labour , Blair DC who ever have pissed away our taxes. How many people thought Nimrod MR4 was a good idea- rebuilding a Comet- Holy SH1T we all knew it would be a sure way to loose Billions. If BAE think the MR4 is great lets see if they use their own money complete the programme and find a buyer for them.
Its time we all stopped being very British and polite and say actually NO- ask the questions WHY has the budget for benefits become the biggest slice ofthe cake. Funny as well how the person who started this thread when asked what he'd ever done said ...lots and now seems to have gone very quite. Myself i raise a glass to Lt Cdr Ward and wish him all the best

A lot of bubbles are going to be burst.

Nobody has mentioned that the leaping JSF has been canned...FAA will have supersonic kites lobbed off the deck and trapping the wire again.. When they get them..

Who is Ian Fox??:E

Take your chance when you get it!
 

I fully agree with Sharky piping up - when else would he get a chance to ask such a pointed question to the only man who has the full answers. Several of you believe it is a self serving question but I took at as a question asked on behalf of all the people in his position be they pilots, engineers etc tied into the Harrier world. He had to explain what he did to prove credibility and then question the governments commitment to someone who had shown such commitment back to his country - Don't see how any of you can take issue with this - you would all have done the same if you were in his position... if you had had the balls.

Don't deny the guy the right to ask the question, we are a democratic society after all, but he is not the first and he wont be the last.

For those vehemently defending him, his parentage or heroism counts for nothing, deal with it, it is just numbers.

For those vilifying him, he has his rights as we all do.

Like many of us who have gone before him, and those who will go after him, time to suck it up, grow a pair and get on with it, trust me, time spent whining can be better spent.

As for my own operational record, yes I have one, and no, it has sod all to do with anyone else, and that is why it is MY operational record :)

A.R. I know, good innit.

Is this the best some of you can do?
 

I guess the problem with written communication is you cannot always tell when people are being ironic. I have to give some people the benefit of the doubt based on some of the postings to this topic.

For those who think why should Kris Ward's redundancy be any different from theirs, perhaps you should cast your mind back to the first things that came into your mind when you had your news, and see if they are not similar? Did you think of others or just yourself?

Yes it's not the end of the world when an individual loses their job - though it may feel like it to that individual at the time - but there's no necessity to make ridiculous comments just because you can. Everyone has a right to state an opinion, so this was mine in response.

AR

Bugger, slip of the tongue:ugh:. Still, thats not the point.

Mr Ward gets my vote. Its nice to see sombody speaking their mind in public rather than acting like a sheep and towing the line

I’m sorry but where does it, or did he, say he has lost his job. He hasn’t. He is an officer in the RN and as such can be gainfully employed in numerous posts. Are they about to ditch all the leaping heap operators overnight with Dave on the horizon, ok the distant horizon but it is coming, no. So let’s wait and see what happens. However, as for a serving officer putting such a stupid and ridiculous question to the PM, well maybe if they are looking for chaps to chop I think his antics will proably have landed his name on some admirals list, if it wasn’t before.

Please note before people get on their high horses and say how dare I, I am not questioning his bravery, kahoonas, masculinity or ability as a pilot in any way with my comments.

5000 to go from the RN, so those Pilots will we part of that equation, they will almost certainly not be re-employed IMHO. Well done Sharkey Junior for speaking up and if anyone is still under the illusion that JCA will be operated by the FAA after today, you are just as naive as some of the dark blue hierachy.

JCA you say?

wtf.

Lt Cdr Ward still has a job.. Those at Woodford will not tomorrow.

Good on yer, Mental! I think you were right to pipe up as you did.

I feel for the FAA; they've taken a huge hit, as have the kipper fleet too.

I think we may live to rue some of these decisions in times to come.

Bliar and Broone set the backdrop; cuts will have to come across the board if we wish to continue to trade successfully as a nation. Lets hope we recover and those facing redundancy won't be searching for long.

Lt Cmdr Ward at least stuck up for his job, nice one and respect. His dad was legend as his book made me think about joining the RAF , failed eyesight resigned to engineer 21 years . If you get a chance to read Dave Wards battles against the Argies its a must.

I just feel everyone in the Forces is getting angry with each other . We are one and we are forgetting that.

Must have been a rather rubbish, if a book about the Royal Navy made you want to join the RAF :rolleyes: