The U.S. Marine Corps honored the legacy of the AV-8B Harrier II and the Marines who served with the aircraft with a ‘sunset ceremony’ at MCAS Cherry Point, home of the last operational unit of the type.
The United States Marine Corps said goodbye to the iconic AV-8B Harrier II, which has supported joint and Marine operations for more than 40 years. The U.S. Navy held a “Sunset Ceremony” on June 3, 2026, at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, home to the “Bulldogs” of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, the last operational unit of this type.
The British-designed “jump jet” was born the Hawker Siddeley Harrier and initially entered service with the USMC in 1971 as the AV-8A Harrier. This aircraft was later introduced as the improved AV-8B Harrier II in 1985 and was later used until the radar-equipped AV-8B+ variant was retired.
A number of events were planned to honor the legacy of Marines who served with the AV-8B Harrier II. It lasts for four days, from June 1st to 4th, including June 3rd, the actual breakup date.
The event, which was also broadcast live on the DVIDS network, included a five-ship formation flyover, with Harriers later landing in front of the crowd. Four single-seat aircraft and a two-seat aircraft, the TAV-8B, received a congratulatory water cannon salute.
The June 3 flight marked the end of Marine Corps Harrier operations, but the aircraft could continue to be seen flying for months to come as remaining examples move to museums and “boneyards.” VMA-223 is expected to remain active until the end of this year and then become inactive in September.
AV-8B Harrier II
The Harrier holds a unique place in military aviation history as the world’s first operational vertical and short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) jet fighter. This aircraft was developed from the British Hawker Siddeley Harrier and later evolved into the AV-8B through the US-UK partnership, transforming it into a much more capable aircraft to meet the needs of the USMC.
This aircraft provided Marine Corps commanders with a capability unavailable to most other tactical air forces: the ability to operate fixed-wing attack aircraft from rugged locations, forward operating bases, expeditionary airfields, and amphibious assault ships. This allowed the aircraft to support the Marine Corps in a unique way, often deploying to the same amphibious assault ships used by the Marine Corps’ ground units, strengthening the bond between air and ground elements.
The AV-8B introduced significant improvements over previous Harrier variants, including redesigned wings, larger payload, improved avionics and improved combat endurance. The AV-8B+ aircraft later introduced AN/APG-65, the same radar system used by the F/A-18 Hornet, expanding its capabilities in both air-to-air and precision strike missions.
During its service life, the Harrier became synonymous with Marine Corps expeditionary operations. The aircraft has participated in numerous conflicts and combat deployments, including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Balkan Operations, Iraq and Afghanistan, and most recently missions in the Caribbean and Middle East.
Even in the last years of their service life, Marine Harriers continued to carry out operational deployments and combat missions. Harrier’s last operational unit, VMA-223, returned from its final deployment on May 20, 2026.
Although the Harrier’s Marine Corps service is over, its influence on expeditionary aviation remains significant. For more than 40 years, this aircraft has provided the Marine Corps with a unique ability to project air power from locations inaccessible to conventional fighter aircraft, shaping operational concepts that continue to influence modern distributed air operations.
The F-35B Lightning II, a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, will continue the Harrier’s legacy. Many squadrons operating the Harrier have already converted to the F-35B, and VMA-223 is expected to begin the conversion soon.
Like the Harrier, the F-35B retains STOVL capability, allowing it to operate from amphibious assault ships and expeditionary bases. However, it combines this flexibility with stealth characteristics, advanced sensors, sensor fusion, and far greater survivability in contested environments.
The Harrier’s retirement leaves only a handful of operators worldwide. In fact, the aircraft will remain in service with the Italian and Spanish navies until 2030, and the Italian Navy is already taking delivery of the F-35B to replace the Harrier.
From British Innovation to Marine Mainstream
The Harrier’s story began in England in the late 1950s and early 1960s. At the time, British engineers were trying to develop a fighter jet that could operate without existing runways. The result was the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, which used the innovative Rolls-Royce Pegasus turbofan engine and four rotating exhaust nozzles to achieve vertical and short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) capabilities.
The aircraft entered service with the Royal Air Force in 1969 and quickly demonstrated that fixed-wing jets could operate from distributed locations, reducing reliance on vulnerable air bases. This was a highly sought-after feature during the Cold War, when European countries were looking for a solution to preserve combat air power in the event of a conflict between the two blocs.
The U.S. Corps, which had long emphasized expeditionary warfare and the ability to deploy troops quickly in difficult locations, recognized the potential of the Harrier concept. In 1971, it adopted the AV-8A Harrier, becoming the first and largest foreign airline to operate the aircraft.
Following positive feedback, the Marine Corps sought a more capable aircraft with greater range, payload, and survivability. This led to the development of the AV-8B Harrier II, a significantly redesigned variant produced through a collaboration between McDonnell Douglas and British Aerospace.
First flown in 1981 and entering Marine Corps service in 1985, the AV-8B features larger composite wings, an improved cockpit, greater fuel capacity, and increased performance compared to its predecessor. Over the following decades, the Harrier II became a key component of maritime aviation.
The aircraft participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, flying hundreds of combat sorties in support of coalition ground forces. Later operations included operations in the Balkans, invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, counterinsurgency operations throughout the Middle East, and deployments of numerous Marine expeditionary forces aboard amphibious assault ships.
Continuous upgrades have kept the platform relevant for the 21st century. The AV-8B night attack variant introduced advanced sensors for 24-hour operations, while the AV-8B Harrier II Plus incorporated the AN/APG-65 radar, providing improved targeting and air-to-air capabilities.
These improvements allowed the aircraft to remain operationally effective until its successor, the F-35B Lightning II, arrived. The jet now fully inherits the Marine Corps’ requirements for short takeoff and vertical landing operations while bringing fifth-generation capabilities to the mission.
The Harrier’s replacement has been planned for several years as part of the Marine Corps’ aviation plan and the broader tactical aircraft conversion plan. The service determined that the AV-8B had reached the end of its planned service life, paving the way for a full transition to the fifth generation aircraft.
Harrier squadrons have gradually become established over the past decade. By 2026, VMA-223 remained the only operational AV-8B squadron, with the detachment supporting Marine Expeditionary Force operations in the Caribbean as part of the type’s final deployment.
During its service life, the Harrier II became synonymous with USMC aviation. To the public, the iconic “jump jet” was also an attraction at air shows, hovering in front of the crowd like a helicopter and saluting with a “harrier bow” at the end of the demonstration.
But for many Marines, the retirement of the Harrier means more than the loss of an aircraft type. The platform has developed a dedicated community of pilots and mechanics who have mastered one of the most challenging aircraft in military service. The aircraft’s unique flying characteristics required specialized training and expertise that have distinguished Harrier operators for many years.
