US Marine Corps retires AV-8B Harrier, transitions to F-35B

The US Marine Corps has retired the AV-8B Harrier II. Marine Attack Squadron 223 held a sundown ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point on June 3, ending the Boeing aircraft's operational service with the Marines.

The Harrier had given assault ships the striking power of a small aircraft carrier. Its replacement, the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, is already flying. The F-35B keeps the short takeoff and vertical landing capability that let the Harrier operate from amphibious assault ships, and adds stealth, advanced sensors and networked combat capabilities.