US Marine Corps Retires AV-8B Harrier Jump Jet After Decades of Service
The retirement moves Marine aircrew and maintainers to the F-35B as the service shifts to fifth-generation aircraft, officials said.
- On Wednesday, the United States Marine Corps retired the AV-8B Harrier II at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina, concluding more than 40 years of service for the iconic vertical takeoff and landing jet.
- Distinguished by its legendary ability to operate without runways from seagoing platforms, the Harrier served for 55 years across conflicts including Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and the Caribbean Sea, according to the service.
- Beyond combat, the jet gained pop culture fame when business student John Leonard sued Pepsi after the company offered it as a prize in a commercial; a court denied his claim, calling it tongue-in-cheek. Fully loaded, the aircraft carries more firepower than a World War II B-17 Flying Fortress.
- Marine Corps Aviation is transitioning experienced aircrew and maintenance personnel to the F-35B, which costs around $110 million per jet. These stealth fighters are already operating off U.S. amphibious assault ships, including the USS Tripoli.
- While the U.S. fleet retires, the aircraft will remain in service with Italian and Spanish militaries. The Marine Corps is coordinating efforts to preserve remaining Harriers for display in museums across the United States.
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The Marine Corps Just Retired Its Last Harrier ‘Jump Jets’
An AV-8B Harrier II “jump jet” lands vertically during the US Marine Corps’ “sundown” commemoration of the Harrier’s retirement. The Marines have flown the AV-8B since 1985. (US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) Topic: Air Warfare Blog Brand: The Buzz Region: North America Tags: Aircraft, AV-8B Harrier II, F-35B, Ground Attack Aircraft, United States, and US Marine Corps The Marine Corps Just Retired Its Last Harrier ‘Jump Jet…
U.S. Marine Corps retires the first fighter jet that didn’t need a runway
The United States Marine Corps on Wednesday celebrated the end of service for the AV-8B Harrier II, the vertical takeoff and landing jet that’s been an icon of Marine aviation for 55 years, a favorite of air show spectators and, once, the subject of a controversial Pepsi TV commercial.
US Marine Corps retires the first fighter jet that didn’t need a runway
The United States Marine Corps on Wednesday celebrated the end of service for the AV-8B Harrier II, the vertical takeoff and landing jet that’s been an icon of Marine aviation for 55 years.
Marine Corps bids farewell to AV-8B Harrier after decades of service
MCAS CHERRY POINT, N.C. (WNCT) -- The Marine Corps is celebrating the sundown of the AV-8B Harrier II after nearly 40 years of service. Over 5,000 people from across the country gathered on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point's flight line Wednesday to see the aircraft for a final time. The Harrier has been in [...]
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