After more than four decades of operational service, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) is moving forward with the retirement of its AV-8B Harrier II+ attack aircraft. This vertical/short takeoff and landing aircraft has been a key component of Marine Corps Aviation during major deployments such as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, to name the most prominent and long-lasting. It is estimated that all remaining units will be retired by 2027, to be replaced by Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II fighters.
One of the latest AV-8B Harrier II+ aircraft to be retired was BuNo 1653357, which dates back to 1985 when it entered active service as a daytime attack variant. Like others of its class, it underwent a modernization process in 1998, being remanufactured as an AV-8B Harrier II+ by McDonnell Douglas—now part of Boeing—which developed the first prototype in 1981.
The VMA-331 “Bumblebees” was the first squadron to operate this upgraded version of the Harrier. Currently, only two Marine Corps units still operate the aircraft, with plans to complete their transition to the F-35B by 2026, thus achieving initial operational capability with the new generation of fighters.
On May 16, 2025, during a symbolic ceremony held on May 13, an AV-8B II+ was officially retired and inducted into the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, where it will be displayed as a testament to its historical contribution. This milestone was made possible through the coordination of the AV-8B Weapons System Program Office (PMA-257), USMC Headquarters, Marine Aircraft Group 14, and VMA-231, ensuring that the aircraft was properly demilitarized prior to its exhibition.
This particular Harrier logged 995 combat flight hours and a total of 8,955 service hours, operating with squadrons VMA-223, VMA-231, and VMA-542. Its service history includes key deployments with Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), as well as participation in operations such as Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, in addition to humanitarian missions and support to forces in global response scenarios.
Ben Guttery, director of collections at the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, highlighted the significance of the addition: “Of the more than 40 aircraft in our museum, this is one of the most unique and interesting we’ve received. The extensive combat history of VMA-223 is invaluable and will be deeply appreciated by the public.” The AV-8B II+ will be displayed alongside an AV-8A, allowing visitors to appreciate the evolution of the Harrier from its early days to its final configuration in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: USMC – Staff Sgt. Theodore Bergan
