The US Marines’ AV-8B Harrier Marks Its Final Flight After Decades of Service

The US Marine Corps is preparing to officially retire the AV-8B Harrier, bringing an end to more than five decades of Marine-operated jump jet history. The final Marine Harrier flight is scheduled for June 3, 2025, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. This marks the conclusion of one of the most distinctive combat aircraft ever to serve with the Corps.

The Harrier first entered Marine service in the early 1970s, giving the Marines a fixed-wing aircraft that could operate from short runways, forward bases, and amphibious ships. Over the decades, the AV-8B became a central part of Marine expeditionary aviation, supporting forces in major conflicts and proving the operational value of short takeoff and vertical landing strike aircraft.

The Final Squadron and Last Deployments

Marine Attack Squadron 223, based at Cherry Point, is flying the final operational Harriers. Elements of the squadron remain deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, continuing to support Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations while the remaining aircraft handle stateside tasking for Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Air Wing requirements.

While official figures are not published, operational Harrier numbers are now believed to be in the low double digits. Even so, the aircraft remains active up to its final scheduled flight, reflecting the Corps’ intent to keep the platform operational until the end rather than transitioning early.

A Formal Farewell for a Combat Workhorse

The Marine Corps has planned several days of retirement events surrounding the final flight. These activities include public access events, static aircraft displays, simulator experiences, and a formal sundown ceremony.

Plans are also in place to place multiple AV-8B aircraft into museums to preserve the type’s historical role and technical significance.

The Shift to the F-35B Era

The Harrier’s mission is now being absorbed by the F-35B Lightning II. While not a direct replacement in design, the F-35B continues the STOVL mission that allowed the Harrier to operate from amphibious ships and austere forward locations. The Marine Corps is steadily expanding its F-35B and F-35C fleets, with hundreds of aircraft planned.

Harrier pilots and maintainers are already transitioning into the F-35B community, carrying forward decades of expeditionary aviation experience as the Corps enters its next phase of STOVL operations.