Lt Cdr Kristian Ward obituary

[tm74sqn]

Just noticed an obituary for Lt Cr Ward, who died 15 November 2018, in 31 December 2018 Daily Telegraph.

A couple of extracts from a very lengthy DT obituary:-

Kristian Nigel Ward was born in Oslo where his father, Commander “Sharkey” Ward, who would became a fighter ace in the 1982 Falklands War, was serving. Kristian was educated at King’s School, Bruton, before reading Oceanography and Mathematics at Southampton University.

In 1995 he joined the RAF, believing his father’s advice that he would have a greater chance of becoming a fighter pilot there than in the Royal Navy. However, after basic flying training there was a lengthy wait for advanced flying training with the RAF, and, impatient to progress, he marked time in 899 Naval Air Squadron where he clocked up 50 hours in the two-seater Harrier trainer. As a result, when the RAF arbitrarily restreamed Ward’s entire intake to helicopter flying, he transferred to the Royal Navy.
After formal fixed-wing flying training in the Tucano and the Hawk, and operational flying training in the Sea Harrier, he joined 801 NAS, which his father had commanded in the Falklands War, flying the Harrier FA2 fighter, in 2001.
He rapidly advanced, retraining on the Harrier GR7 ground-attack variant, qualifying as a weapons instructor in 2005, teaching other Harrier pilots (2005-07), becoming senior pilot of Navy Strike Wing 2009-10, and deploying four times with the Royal Navy to Afghanistan.

In 1998 Ward married Sarah Carlisle. She survives him with their son and daughter.

Lt-Cdr Kristian Ward, born October 1 1973, died November 15 2018.

A sad loss. RIP

[Blackcat1]

Oh my word, such sad news & such a young age. Godbless & fly high . RIP.

[jem60]

Very sad. For years I had a picture in my hall of his Dad shooting down a Mirage in 1982. Too young to depart.

[Blackcat1]

Sharkys book well worth reading.

[T_J]

RIP Kris. Such sad news. Kris contacted me back in 2007 after I took an image of him going through the Mach Loop. He was working up before deployment to Afghanistan. Condolences to family and friends.

Blue skies, Kris.



HARRIER1200X by llihmot, on Flickr

[Blackcat1]

Brilliant photo

[The Phantom]

Sad news to hear this

RIP Sir.

[MRTT]

Very sad news indeed.