Sea Harrier over the Falklands: Cdr 'Sharkey' Ward on the role of the Sea Harrier

Commander 'Sharkey' Ward talking about the Falklands War and the instrumental role played by the Sea Harrier squadrons.

[@servicekid7453]

Just heard that Commander Nigel “Sharkey” Ward passed away on 18th May 2024. RIP, a true Naval aviator and fighter pilot

[@GnrMilligan]

I read Sharkey's book "Sea Harrier Over The Falklands" some years ago. And it's a cracking read. I've just been inspired to read it again. I highly recommend it!

[@grahamcallaway6444]

Sad news indeed to hear about the passing of Mr. Ward. I had the pleasure of knowing "Sharkey" Ward on 892 Squadron (Phantoms) in the late 70's. Very knowledgeable man technically and could always identify the smallest of problems with an Aircraft, which was a great help to us technicians. Strangely enough I went on to work at BAE where the Sea Harriers were assembled and watched the first one handed over to the RN. Glad to know that they were in such good hands when they had to go into action, and also to have read about him and his colleagues in the Falklands, many of whom had also served on 892 Squadron prior to being assigned to the Harrier. RIP Mr. Ward. Glad to have made your acquaintance.

[@andrewjacklin9887]

As of tonight I learn Cdr Nigel "Sharkey" Ward has sadly passed away. Blue skies.

[@davidyates1299]

RIP Sharkey - what an incredible warrior and gentleman.

[@julianfernandez533]

Derribo un Hércules de transporte , muy caballero no era.

[@johnpartington8229]

​@julianfernandez533 the hercules was part of an opposing armed force. It was carrying supplies, troops and re-enforcements. So it was fair game. Did the British complain when Argentina sank Atlantic conveyer, meaning supplies, helicopters went to the bottom of the sea. No. Its conflict.

[@tonkerdog1243]

I flew with Wards son Kris a few years ago. A top bloke, brave and professional. RIP

[@Lewisgaylard]

RIP Kris...

[@2sqnbandit379]

Did you fly Harriers in the Navy?

[@Lewisgaylard]

Dear farmerned6, The Sea Harrier was NOT retired due to low airframe hours. Far from it, at least 18 of the airframes were less than 10 years old. The real reason, which will be in my forthcoming book, was inter-service rivalry with the RAF. The F/A2 variant of the Sea Harrier, with AMRAAM and Blue Vixen Radar, was regarded by the Americans as the best air-defence platform in Europe.

[@henryvagincourt]

Very much so,, I didn't see a Phantom until after the war was over,

[@Lewisgaylard]

@Rob Wilton perhaps you're mistaken after all these years, but you do realise that Sharkey stopped flying in 1982, just after the Falklands? So I doubt it was Sharkey you spoke to in 1987...

[@paulfarley8023]

RIP and thank you.

[@TheWatson83]

RIP Commander Ward!

[@allgood6760]

Awesome vid... I have a mate and he was Tactical Radar Operator on HMS Invincible during the Falklands War he didnt know if he was going to live or die!... HMS Invincible visited in 1983.. thanks from NZ 👍🇳🇿

[@martinweber7912]

El HMS Invincible fue impactado por un Misil AM39 desde un SUE, y por dos bombas de un A4 del Alferez Gerardo Isaac, los piratas ingleses terminaron con 7 barcos hundidos y con mas de 20 barcos destrozados, incluido el HMS Invincible y HMS Hermes, tanta vergüenza tienen por las perdidas en la Guerra de Malvinas que decretaron secreto de información por 90 años

[@chrisjones2149]

Thanks for sharing. Just finished Cdr Ward's book and wanted to see if the were any vids, very interesting, thanks.

[@farmerned6]

Hi Lewis Quite happy to be corrected - and I'd rather we had kept a 3 carrier fleet and a mix of sea harriers and GR7&9's UNTIL the the F-35 was in production, than what we have (not got) now

[@finnstralian]

i watched the entire of the show on tv a while back. wish i had been able to record it but i keep hoping it will appear on youtube one day.

[@caula1815]

Respect to all british and argentine pilots.

[@lawrenceabbott5292]

RIP Sharkey

[@user-wt7qp4jj2e]

Franz Stingler will always be a true gentleman of great moral integrity. Nigel Ward... in the Falklands on Avatir, an unarmed and seriously injured C130 with all its crew, will be his honorless legacy forever.

[@TungstenKid]

At 0:35 an Argy was asked "What was the best means of eluding the Sea Harrier?" but he replied "I can't answer". No need amigo, we can guess what the Argy pilots strategy was when they saw SH's- Get the f**k out!

[@busterruff9369]

A R I bet you wish you had the USA on your side ,all you had was a military dictatorship,who had caused so many Problems at home and was wrecking the economy ,they diverted their attention to the FALKLANDS ISLANDS, A word of advice, stick to football amigo and leave the wars to us British,

[@johnnypickles5256]

@@alejandro1904 they did run from the Harrier amigo, they attacked ships but never looked to dogfight harriers they were under order not to after 1st of May. They fucked up although their hits against ships suggest otherwise. wrong tactics and a lack of dogfighting ability from the faa. The sidewinder version L was used from behind as any other sidewinder they had before, lack of time and training with it caused the British pilots to use it as it was the older version therefore winning the position behind the enemy and letting loose. All kills were from behind, check it. Therefore it was the pilots ability and his plane that won the encounters before the misile did its damage

[@johnnypickles5256]

@@alejandro1904 I don't quite think you know its history that well. In 1833 they were there as part of a business venture by vernet who under British permission was allowed to undertake it. As he overstepped his authority by annoying American wailers the brits took over once more yo settle the issue. In any case they had been there since 1765 and as far back as 1690.in fact Spain threw them out in 1770 but gave it back in 1771 under treaty. It was never argentinas land. They never inherited it as Spain never recognised their independent till 1863 and was under dispute between Britain and Spain in any case. As is often the case in argentina's history myth overtakes reality.

[@johnnypickles5256]

@@alejandro1904 well we're not anglosaxons, we're mainly Britons, to start of with and I've lived with Latins for 35 years and the last thing they have is common sense, trust me their stubborness and illogical rhetoric is often incomprehensible. I can argue with facts not with sentiments, and Argentina is a country full of colonisers on the other side of the world. I hardly think you have an argument with that,. What's more it was inhabited whilst the falklands wasn't, see the difference? You can read all you want I've read both sides and find there's not much truth to theirs, their history is full of myths and exaggerations. if you care to argue their point ill shoot you down like a seaharrier does a mirage. Don't come with your hates on here without back up mate, by back up I mean facts, intellect, proof etc. And if there's something I learnt of Spaniards, Italians etc is that they cheat constantly, always trying to deceive to get the biggest slice of the cake. You picked the wrong guy, I was brought up with them, I know them like the back of my hand. And whilst I know the British elite establishment is as pathetic as others, it's people are usually good guys. I know which I prefer and I live in Spain, have studied their history, in fact my daughter is Spanish so I'm pretty objective I like to think. By the way only a fool would say Argentina were better of with a dictatorship that threw its own people out of planes into the sea for differing political ideas, don't you think?

[@johnnypickles5256]

@@alejandro1904 you have no right to claim anything that's not yours, and it isn't. It never was. The brits had been there since 1690 and before, had a permanent colony since 1765, you were not there nor was it Spainish neither, the fact is you didn't even exist as a nation and your virreynato didn't have the rights to any of those islands either . You claim lands as yours of your neighbours, me thinks its you that's the arrogant bastards. You have some sort of belief you're superior to other southamericans, and that's why you yourselves are not liked over there. Worse thing is Britain made you in business, in infrastructure, even in sports. As regards to the UK you seem to have very little knowledge of its history and its people and to regard anyone as arrogant you probably lived in London or down south. But then again if you clashed its because you yourself have your nose up your arse too. My experiences with Latins are varied, Spaniards are generally good people but their politicians or people in power, religious freaks are corrupt scum that shit on people. Much like your peron and other dictatorships. I have no problems otherwise but nevertheless I know the way they think and I know their instincts, that's why my arguments are what they are. You couldn't expose shit all cos you know fuck all You've been brainwashed since kids to go against Britain, I see it everyday. You have such a chip on your shoulder about your history and that you've been hard done by. You're a bunch of cry babies always feeling sorry for yourselves much like you do in the UN always looking for support of third world countries with your emotional blackmail. And some drink, others smoke so go enjoy your asado too amigo, and make sure you work on becoming a better person by knocking that chip on your shoulder life's too short. No threats you obviously don't get the jokes. Y que no te importe mi familia no me preocupa pero como les faltes al respeto te corto los huevos pedazo mierda. Makes me laugh, what is Argentina but a land you took of their natives? Hipocrite

[@planemod8399]

Amazing plane

[@Lewisgaylard]

Hi mate. The book, if I can keep to schedule, should be published in June.

[@henryvagincourt]

Fairly simple, UK goverment don't understand warfare, he who has airpower at sea wins, Sea Harrier was one of the best, if not the best fighter jet at sea.

[@henryvagincourt]

I can live with your view.

[@osatoo98]

F 14?

[@billyclement5141]

The F/A 2 fitted that bill. It carried slightly less ordinance than the F-18, but had much better endurance, making it a better cap aircraft in most situations. It's radar was superior to pretty much everything in the air in the 90's and, as Lt Cdr Wars stated in the video, it was a superb dogfighting platform. It was a bloody crime to retire them and the Invincibles decades early!

[@clives344]

The Harrier Retired far too Early

[@diegorodriguez1241]

"Lanzó un Sidewinder que falló y un segundo dio entre los motores. Con un plano completamente en llamas, el Hércules se encontraba ya totalmente fuera de combate. No obstante a continuación, Ward descargó 240 municiones de los cañones desintegrando en el aire el ya neutralizado avión, impidiendo cualquier posibilidad de supervivencia de la tripulación". Creo que el honor si es importante hasta en una guerra, se deberia buscar neutralizar a la maquinaria, no a los hombres.

[@Teasehirt]

The harrier was never a concern for the Argentines, Rightly or Wrongly they went for the ships with limited Time and Fuel.

[@Lewisgaylard]

And that was their biggest mistake, not going for the Sea Harrier...

[@cristiangonzalocarreropons3595]

En verdad el objetivo debieron ser los Hermes e Invincible. Una vez atacado el Invincible las PAC se redujeron drásticamente. Lamentablemente no llegaron nuestros pilotos al Hermes. El otro objetivo que no se atacó fue el Canberra. Nuestros pilotos pensaron que como no tenía pintura militar podría ser un buque hospital. En realidad allí trabsportaban tropas y si lo hundían hubiera cambiado el curso. De todas formas, el respeto a la convención y al honor pudo más y no se lo atacó.

[@squigmcguigan8965]

Why is Sharkey ward & his brethren not held in the same esteem as their WW2 counterparts? True British heroes. Respect to the Argentine counterparts. As with post WW2. There is an obvious mutual respect between the former foes. All rather sporting. Don't you think Old chap.

[@ianrkav]

Hey Lewis, is your book out yet? If so what's it called and where can I get a copy? Also, are you a pilot? Thanks. Ps. With Argentina about to take delivery of about 24 SU-24's, similar to a Tornado GR4 in capability, it's interesting that everyone is now worried about the airfield in the Falklands being taken out. If that happens the Typhoons are useless. Maybe they should have listened to Sharkey Ward and used a few FA2's from easily prepared metal grid strips strategically located around the islands. This could have been achieved at a fraction of the cost.

[@henryvagincourt]

+ianrkav I doubt the Argentines will get the SU-24s, Turkey had no trouble taking one out with a F-16, easy prey for the Typhoon's. RAF Mount Pleasant is well place to have a lot of warning, There is another airfield Typhoon capable Stanley and 25 other airstrips around the Islands.

[@Lewisgaylard]

+ianrkav Sorry only just seen your comment. The book will be called; Yeovilton-Home of the Sea Harrier. It's progressing well, if slowly. I've been very side-tracked with other company / magazine work.

[@ianrkav]

Lewis Gaylard Ok thanks. I will keep a look out for it.

[@ianrkav]

henryvagincourt An early block F16 at that! Anyway, I didn't know they had built so many airstrips, that would change things. Thanks:-)

[@henryvagincourt]

There were FRS.1 using some of the grass strips back in 1982, shame we still don't have the SHAR, being Ex Navy Ill be happier when the two new carriers and the F-35 are in commission. It will need a eye kept on the Island's until we have our carriers back.

[@tungstenkid2271]

I was shocked to hear news reports that Sharkey Wards son Kris "tragically died" a few years ago. Was it a crash or what?

[@KnjazNazrath]

You finished your Yeovilton book yet Lewis?

[@Lewisgaylard]

Hey dude. The now 'books', there will be 3 (!), will be published from the end of this year.

[@farmerned6]

UK Government's have always sent poor sods to war without the right gear, but if we are always going to send UK troops to the worlds trouble-spots , we need 24-7 air cover = nearby carriers, Falklands & Libya proved the RAF cant provide that & while I dearly love the SHAR, it was always a stop-gap navy fighter , Great flexibility,but could it have done with more range/loiter time, pity we didn't re-start the P.1154 project after the Falklands war proved the harrier concept

[@diggledoggle4192]

The Phantom would've been vastly more capable in providing support for ground troops as well as CAP. Unfortunately HM's Armed Forces greatest foe is the government

[@AdmV0rl0n]

This is questionable. To provide Phantoms, you'd have needed larger carriers. These Carriers would then have been a larger target for Exocet. And in no way does Phantom provide any local flexibility as per Harrier. Harrier by its design and nature is a deployable platform. We were able to make a base at a beach head and fly ops from there. This isn't something Phantom could have ever done. Given the south atlantic - the area of the battle, the view that Phantom was all pro and Harrier all con is a very dubious view.

[@FN_FAL_4_ever]

If there was one thing that I wish you British would've done with the Sea Harrier was give it an above wing Sidewinder rail, like you did with the Jaguar. It could've doubled or perhaps even tripled the missile load, and less Argies would've gone home.

[@billyclement5141]

@Ergie Weggedorn They flew in fighting pairs. I'm not aware of any two ship that managed to get all four Sidewinders away. Missiles weren't the issue, airborne early warning and a modern pulse doppler radar were. Both were provided shortly after the War with Sea King Js and the F/A 2.

[@albertovillegasulloa5879]

Porque no comentan los sea harrier derribados por armas antiaéreas viejas o tienen vergüenza jajaja

[@johnnypickles5256]

23 a 0 es más vergonzoso no crees y perder una guerra con tanta ventaja aún mas

[@johnnypickles5256]

@@alejandro1904 will they not? All the sunken ships were recognised were they not? You're a hater without much brain. It's the argies, Spanish, Italians that have an excuse for every loss they have.

[@johnnypickles5256]

@@alejandro1904 you're a parrot lol all you do is repeat the same shit the argies come out with in their chats. Woodward was a submarine man, let's just leave it there, he was not an aviator and what's worse he didn't listen to them and that cost the fleet heavily. But he won the war. I don't lose my time hating, I just put ignorants like you straight, it's up to you, you can stay ignorant or you can learn from it, take your choice, it won't keep me awake at night. I won't waste my time exposing your empire, in the end they're all the same, somo just cleverer than others. Tara

[@cristiangonzalocarreropons3595]

Una vergüenza para aviación miltar mundial que un piloto remate de esa manera a la tripulación, ya indefensa, de un blanco averiado y ya puesto fuera de amenaza, el Hércules C-130 del Cap. Martel. No nos gustaría estar en su lugar el día en que Dios se ocupe de su alma. Aunque la pena por semejante asesinato la debió haber comenzado a pagar en vida. Malvinas argentinas! 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷

[@leandromosna1702]

“killer” Ward .Gloria al TC-63.

[@bender9407]

Nigel Ward shot down the AC-130 that my great uncle was in

[@carlosmaldonado8600]

Luciano Olmos sorry for your uncle Luciano and all the creew. Ward doing that was unglently. Shooting down and killing all the crew of an out of combat plane has no glory.

[@carlosmaldonado8600]

Gar. There are some unwritten codes of gentlemen

[@rob4831]

c130 is a military transport used to deliver soldiers weapons stores legitim target not like machine gunning downed chopper pilots in the water murdering scum

[@alexbz3227]

the plane was mortally wounded by a missile, nigel ward I finish it without being necessary

[@alaninuk4724]

@@alexbz3227 I take it some of it crashed on the falklands as i remember seeing a hercules main wheel when i was there and i wondered what the story was.

[@paulhall2397]

UP THE BRITISH!

[@farmerned6]

Sea Harrier's were retired because of they had gone over their airframe hour limits, and were not needed in recent conflicts, GR7 & 9's were scrapped because the RAF chose to keep the more capable Tornado's, the GR7 & 9's had no radar or gun-pods so limited A2A use The recent Libyan air campaign showed the RAF efforts to be expensive,woeful & pitifully limited (about 9% or less)

[@billyclement5141]

Actually Ned, it was the Tornado that was short on airframe hours and limited in capability- we couldn't use Tonkas for the first five years in Afghanistan, thanks to their need for extensive runway and ground facilities. Harriers were just fine with what was already there. They (Tornadoes) were used in Libya, but with a 3000 mile round trip they didn't have a lot of time on target. USS Kersarge's Harriers provided great service up until the Italians told them to bugger off- probably because they were making the rest of the Coalition's aircraft look a bit lame. We absolutely needed Harriers in every conflict since the Falklands and we had access to them, although usually through the USMC rather than the RAF or RN. Scrapping F/A 2 was more about protecting the Typhoon project, killing off GR 9 and the Invincible class was penny pinching at it's worst.

[@martinweber7912]

Nigel Ward In the Sea Harrier XZ451, together with another returning to HMS Invincible after conducting a PAC, he went to check a detection 20 miles north of the carrier. They found the FAA Lockheed C-130 Hercules TC-63 at 200 feet. He launched a Sidewinder that missed and a second hit between the engines. With a plane completely on fire, the Hercules was already totally out of action. However, Ward then discharged 240 ammunition from the cannons, disintegrating the already neutralized plane in the air, preventing any chance of survival for the crew. After the end of the war and once back in his country he was discharged, FOR A MURDERER AND COWARD

[@Lewisgaylard]

Martin, no idea where you heard that from!? Sharkey was promoted to Commander and served in the Royal Navy for several more years. You need to do better research before making such I'll informed comments.