Final U.S. Marines Receive AV-8B Harrier Pilot Designations

All good things must come to an end—and it was last week that the final two United States Marine Corps pilots completed training on the AV-8B Harrier II, the vertical/short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) tactical attack aircraft that first entered service with the Marine Corps forty years ago.

The AV-8B Harrier II Fleet Replacement Detachment (FRD), Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), graduated the final two pilots to receive the 7509 Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, last Friday.

Capt. Joshua Corbett and Capt. Sven Jorgensen completed their final training flight at the FRD in order to receive the 7509 MOS, which is reserved for AV-8B Harrier II-qualified pilots. Corbett's and Jorgensen's designations represent 2nd MAW's continued operational transition from legacy fixed-wing tactical aircraft, including the Harrier.

"The significance of the last replacement pilot training flight in the Harrier community is that it is the beginning of the end for us as a community."  said Corbett. "The Harrier, more than many aircraft that I have come across, elicits an emotional response. For members of the public, members of the aviation community, members of the Marine community, and especially members of the Harrier pilot community, it's bittersweet. All good things have to come to an end, and it's our turn soon, but not yet."

Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 will be the last Harrier squadron in the U.S. Marine Corps and it will continue operating the platform through September 2026, when the squadron transitions to the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II. Until that time, the AV-8B will likely remain a familiar sight around MCAS Cherry Point and could execute deployed operations as part of Marine Expeditionary Units.

"I am incredibly proud of the legacy of the AV-8B, both within Marine Aviation and here in eastern North Carolina," said Lt. Col. Nathaniel Smith, the commanding officer of VMA-223.

"Our platform is part of the fabric of eastern North Carolina, as countless Marines, sailors, and civilians have contributed to our success for decades," added Smith. "It is exciting to see our last two students graduate from the FRD and hit the fleet. Our team of pilots, maintainers, and supporting staff have done outstanding work in supporting both the FRD and VMA missions here at VMA- 223, and I look forward to us continuing to support 2nd MAW and the MAGTF at home and overseas."

In February, the final class of Marine Corps Harrier mechanics also graduated from training, and those mechanics will continue to repair and maintain the F-402 engine until the Harrier completes its service. The class of five Marine aviation mechanics have been assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. 

Four Decades of Harrier Service

The AV-8B has supported numerous operations across the globe, including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Allied Force in 1999 in the former Yugoslavia, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

It has been primarily employed on light attack or multirole missions, ranging from close air support of ground troops to armed reconnaissance. The Harrier II could deploy a wide range of weapon systems, including the air-to-air AMRAAM and Sparrow missiles, air-to-surface AGM-65 Maverick missiles, anti-ship Harpoon and Sea Eagle missiles, a 25mm cannon, and a range of bombs and rockets.

As a rugged and reliable aircraft, the AV-8B was routinely deployed onboard amphibious assault ships and simple forward operating bases. U.S. Army General Norman Schwarzkopf named the AV-8B Harrier II one of the most important weapons of the 1991 Gulf War.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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