The US Marine Corps has bid farewell to the AV-8B Harrier II in a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The final operational Harrier II squadron, Marine Attack Squadron 223, marked the retirement of the aircraft, closing a remarkable chapter in Marine aviation history.
The Harrier's departure represents the conclusion of a concept that shaped Marine air power for generations and helped define the Corps' expeditionary character. The aircraft was more than just another attack jet, embodying the Marine Corps' determination to bring airpower wherever Marines fought.
The Harrier's retirement comes as the Marine Corps transitions to the F-35B Lightning II, which possesses short takeoff and vertical landing capability, stealth technology, and advanced sensors. The F-35B is expected to preserve the expeditionary advantages pioneered by the Harrier while dramatically expanding combat capability.
