Harrier Pilot attacks Prime Minister on cuts
 

Lt Cdr Kris Ward, 37, questioned Mr Cameron as the Prime Minister prepared to deliver the conclusions of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, in which the Navy is expected to fare worst.
Lt Cdr Ward, whose father Cdr Nigel "Sharkey" Ward led attacks during the Falklands conflict, said: "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?"

"I AM NOW POTENTIALLY FACING UNEMPLOYMENT !!"

Tough **** Lt Cdr and welcome to the real world

Just goes to show, never take it for granted.

What the difference between a Harrier and its pilot?

Coat, hat etc. :E

May I respectfully suggest that anyone who has flown '140 odd missions in Afghanistan' knows quite a bit about the 'real' world.

Fair question. Phrased in a argumentative fashion.

A recording of the question and some of the answer from DC

from ROGERK, age 69, location - France

Hmmm....

In which case, he'd also know that as a Lt Cdr he has options in the RN that don't involve flying. That's the bittersweet with regards to promotion. Of course it's a shame that he will no longer be flying the Harrier, but something had to go and IMO it could have been worse.

From the BBC website

As one door closes.......;)

On a side note...

Always the first thing they say, isn't it .......:E

May I respectfully suggest that someone who has flown 140 missions in 'stan knows a lot about flying missions in 'stan.

No one, harrier pilot or not, has a divine right to employment. And no, of course I wouldn't like to be in his position - but we all are, aren't we.

Indeed, no sympathy for those who may have to join the rest of us in the real world.

Am I missing something here? Although I'm now retired I didn't join the RAF as an entry to the commercial jobs market. What price the Military Covenant and Terms of Service? I joined to serve my Country knowing that it would take out a large chunk of my life. As it happened, it took out a lot more than expected but I wasn't reviewing the jobs market for most of my time.

I'm with the Lt Cdr and he's earned the right to pose that question. A Strategic Defence Review that bins the Joint CAS asset when we are still on a CAS centric operation is a cost cutting exercise. Lets just call it what it is.

The name Ward? Must be Sharkey Wards son...he from the Falklands War who was known for his plain no nonsense talking.

Like father like son.

I'd be more impressed if he flew up the Thames at low level then flew under Tower Bridge.

FFS he should just man up. He might not have a harrier to fly shortly, but I doubt that at 37 he will be in line for redundancy from the RN.

Loads of people in a far worse situation than him.

I find it slightly cringeworthy that a serving officer should make such a public whinge.

I for one applaud Mental's moral courage for asking a direct question to the chief policy maker of our country - well done mate and good for you. Many would have chosen to stay quiet.

Those who believe that the good Lt Cdr's question was self-centred are clearly missing the point - he was talking in general terms and asking on behalf of all who are faced with that position and his point in highlighting his experience in Afghanistan was likely to add some relevance to the decision concerning Harrier in particular; believe it or not there is more than one Harrier pilot in the UK Armed Forces :O

Nobody has a 'right' to employment but everybody has a right to care and everybody has a right to ask direct questions. Cameron wasn't attacked, contrary to the media sensationalist headline, he was asked a pertinent question and delivered an answer.

well the job market will be tight with him joining nimrod pilots competing to join the airlines. Just wonder what all those Tac navs and back cabin crews on the nimrod will do in civvy street!

If they are going to ditch the Harriers, what's going to end up with the crews?

6f1
 

Well Done Lt Cdr Ward it's a shame you are not a Admiral.
Rogerk sounds like just another septic Ex crab who should be ignored!

Wot a whinger
 

another FJ mate who thinks he is above everyone else and shouldnt be made redundant................tell that to the 280 engineers who were on yearly rollover contracts, had based mortgages on it and were told 3 months ago that they no longer had a job.

Suck it up boys and girls its no different from civvy street and the sooner we realise we arent different the easier life will be to accept.:\

How is he supposed to feel about it?

Pragmatic. Be thankful he's not being given his P45 today. As others have said, he might not be flying Harriers for much longer, but hey, all things must come to an end. He either flies something else, gets a ground tour or several or gets out.

He now has to face a decision as to what he is going to do with the rest of his life. Just like many of the rest of us have, before and again in the future.

Wasn't the PMs answer more revealing? He's obviously been well briefed if he thinks Typhoon is currently out in Stan