The United States Marine Corps has confirmed the deactivation timeline for the legendary AV-8B Harrier II vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) fighter jets.
The final flight and official retirement ceremony are scheduled for June 3, 2026, at Cherry Point Air Station in North Carolina.
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The farewell marks the end of an era that began in 1971, when the Marines received the first AV-8A aircraft and became the first U.S. operator of the so-called “jump jet.”
Over more than four decades, the Harrier took part in operations in the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. As recently as late 2023, aircraft from VMA-231 were deployed on missions in the Red Sea.
Currently, the last operational squadron flying the type is VMA-223, based at Cherry Point. Some aircraft remain deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. Although exact figures are not officially disclosed, it is estimated that at the beginning of 2026 up to 78 aircraft were still listed in service, with only a few dozen fully combat-ready.
Ceremonies and public events
Farewell activities will take place from June 1 to June 4, 2026. Public events are planned, including an open house featuring static aircraft displays and aerial demonstrations. On June 3, the final official Harrier flight will be conducted, followed by a private ceremony for active-duty personnel, veterans, and program members. At the same time, the transfer of several aircraft to aviation museums across the United States is underway.
Remaining operators
With the Marine Corps retiring the aircraft, only two AV-8B operators will remain worldwide:
🇮🇹 The Italian Navy (Marina Militare) operates 11 AV-8B+ aircraft and plans to retire the type by 2028.
🇪🇸 The Spanish Navy (Armada Española) continues to operate the AV-8B+ aboard the aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I. Retirement timelines may be delayed due to uncertainty surrounding the acquisition of the F-35B Lightning II.
Transition to the F-35B
The Harrier will be replaced by the F-35B Lightning II, the STOVL variant of the fifth-generation fighter. By the end of 2026, the Marine Corps is expected to have received more than 260 F-35B/C aircraft as part of a total procurement plan of 420 units. Harrier pilots and maintenance crews are already transitioning to the new platform to preserve operational expertise in short takeoff and vertical landing operations.
The retirement of the AV-8B closes a significant chapter in Marine Corps carrier-based and expeditionary aviation, consolidating the transition to a fleet fully composed of fifth-generation aircraft.
Source and images: Marines.mil. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
