Sir, – An excellent obituary for Commander Sharkey Ward (The Times, 20 May 2024 https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/commander-sharkey-ward-obituary-pilot-who-played-a-decisive-role-in-falklands-qnq53fhs0), Britain’s most famous and accomplished fighter pilot in modern times. Sharkey was an outstanding leader, commanding 801 Naval Air Squadron in war and peace, combative in wartime and combative in print until the day of his death. NATO naval and military aviation needs more Sharkey Wards, not fewer. Sharkey’s legacy is important. Ministers, officials and Air Marshals responsible for aircraft pr…
