U.S. Marines from VMA-223 conduct one of the final training flights with the AV-8B Harrier II over the North Carolina coast, May 15, 2026, ahead of the aircraft’s retirement from Marine Corps service. #Marines
The USMC’s AV-8B Harrier Has Flown Off Into The Sunset
The Harrier Sundown ceremony marks the end of more than 50 years of Marine Corps jump-jet operations.
https://t.co/r0Vsl43UAR
The Marine Corps' @BoeingDefense/@BAESystemsAir AV-8 #Harrier fleet has been finally retired, leaving the Italian and Spanish navies as the last bastions for this magnificent aircraft and brilliant British invention.
The AV-8B Harrier II is being officially sundowned on June 3rd, and we are on Cherry Point to see it fly off into the sunset.
Story: https://t.co/bJf1S7KjVr
#Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing take part in a sundown ceremony for the AV-8B Harrier II at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.
The “sundown” of the AV-8B Harrier II, an iconic aircraft that has supported joint and Marine Corps operations for over 40 years, also represents the dawn of a new era; it paves the way for 2nd MAW’s full transition to the F-35B and C Lightning II.
VMA-223 is the U.S. Marine Corps' last operational Harrier squadron.
#USMC #Harrier #Sundown
@MsVixen@HouseGOP If it were a real escort, it might cost a few million dollars. But It’s DCS (Digital Combat Simulator). A flight simulator. Not AI. Just a video game.
It’s 100% training. @bookbosomed90 you have no idea how much goes into preparing for an operation like this. Every opportunity your can get that gives you more experience doing your job prepares you for when you have to engage the enemy, conduct humanitarian operations or defended the American people, is training.
@ClesterRebecca@USArmy Definitely not a waste of tax payer money. This is GOOD training! Pilots need more stick time and I am damn glad they are getting it. At the same time, the American people are getting was they want. Seeing more military awesomeness!!
@bookbosomed90@USArmy@PeteHegseth This is GOOD training! Pilots need more stick time and I am damn glad they are getting it. At the same time, the American people are getting was they want. Seeing more military awesomeness!!
@hopelessforkin1@USArmy@PeteHegseth This is GOOD training! Pilots need more stick time and I am damn glad they are getting it. At the same time, the American people are getting was they want. Seeing more military awesomeness!! This is two birds with one stone! Incredible!
@debiflpc2@USArmy@PeteHegseth This is GOOD training! Pilots need more stick time and I am damn glad they are getting it. At the same time, the American people are getting was they want. Seeing more military awesomeness!!
@TaraBull I honestly wouldn’t put spirit on the same pedestal as those other companies. I did not have any good experiences with spirit. The worst time was what seemed like bus seats that didn’t recline. Oh yeah the times I got delayed 3+ hours…. Every flight it was something else…