Marine Harriers are in the Caribbean just ahead of retirement

[Talyn]

“If they don’t have enough F-35Bs to do the job, then, well, it’s up to the last of the Harriers," an expert said.

On 18 November 2025, U.S. Southern Command U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II jets conducted live-fire training from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sea.

The images show aircraft from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) dropping ordnance as part of a broader deployment in support of Operation Southern Spear, the large-scale campaign targeting transnational drug-trafficking networks across the Western Hemisphere.

Marine Harriers are in the Caribbean just ahead of retirement

Harriers may not be as advanced as F-35s, but the Marines have found one last mission for them amid Caribbean build-up.

taskandpurpose.com

A Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced) on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sean, Sept. 7, 2025. Marine photo by Sgt. Tanner Bernat.

Reports of the demise of the Marine Corps’ legendary AV-8B Harrier II are greatly exaggerated, as evidenced by a U.S. Southern Command video released this week showing Harriers from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima conducting a live-fire ordnance exercise in the Caribbean.

U.S. Marines AV‑8B Harriers Roar from USS Iwo Jima Amphib Ship in Southern Spear Drill

U.S. Southern Command shares AV-8B Harrier live fire from USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean, highlighting Operation Southern Spear's hybrid anti-cartel mission.

www.armyrecognition.com

FYI - USMC AV-8B+ Ops footage from the USS Kearsarge

 

[Cedric]

True Lies Harrier take off:

 

[Mr.W.]

Along with the original bird of prey, I've found its namesake, the Harrier jet, very intriguing. Both "operate" in unique fashion. I used to watch the hawks for hours, as they'd scour the fields behind my home of furry vermin.

 

[Shibadog]

And the Marine Harriers hunt for hairy vermin with two legs. Son used to be at MCAS Cherry Point. I always liked watching the AV8B’s do their magic.

 

[Talyn]

More...

The final USMC AV-8B Harrier deployment with a Marine Expeditionary Unit, a det of VMA-223 “Bulldogs” with the 22nd MEU aboard the USS Iwo Jima, earlier this month returned home to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina.

The “sundown” of the AV-8B, an iconic aircraft that has supported joint and Marine Corps operations for over 40 years, also represents the dawn of a new era.

Harrier Sunset

The final USMC AV-8B Harrier deployment with a Marine Expeditionary Unit, a det of VMA-223 “Bulldogs” with the 22nd MEU aboard the USS Iwo Jima, earlier this month returned home to Mari…

laststandonzombieisland.com

 

[Shibadog]

Been a long run for a darn good bird. Hate to see ‘em go. The F35 is a lot slicker, but I wonder if it’ll do ground support as well as the AV8Bl

 

[SCraig]

I love to watch Harriers come and go. They do things fixed-wing aircraft are not supposed to be able to do They will be missed.

Thanks for posting it.

 

[Talyn]

And more...

A final public flight for the Marine Corps’ legendary Harrier jet​

“The Harrier didn't need an airfield. All it needed was a Marine flying it.”

A flight of the Marine Corps’ legendary AV-8B Harrier IIs, ground attack jets that can take off and land vertically, will make a final public flight this week to mark the aircraft’s retirement after more than four decades of service with the Corps.

The Harrier’s “sundown” ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The Harriers being retired belong to Marine Attack Squadron 223. A detachment from the squadron deployed to the Caribbean last year as part of the U.S. military’s buildup in the region that culminated in the Jan. 3 special operations forces mission that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The ceremony on Wednesday will include a flyover of a formation of five Harriers that will then land in front of a crowd that is expected to reach several thousand people, according to a statement from the Marine Corps to Task & Purpose.

A final public flight for the Marine Corps' legendary Harrier jet

On Wednesday, the Marine Corps will celebrate the end of the AV-8B Harrier II flight operations after more than 40 years of service.

taskandpurpose.com

Harriers were designed to stay close to Marines in combat, said retired Marine Lt. Col. Mike “Gravy” Rountree, who flew Harriers from 2003 to 2011, remembered how “miniscule” the support elements were for the jets at primitive forward operating bases early in the Iraq war.

“They were a gunny and a tank of gas and a couple of ordnance Marines,” Rountree told Task & Purpose. “And they were able to land the jet, turn the jet, launch the jet with minimum ground support, be back on station in a heartbeat, and it did not depend on any tankers.”

 

[Talyn]

And even even more...

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. The Harrier Sundown ceremony marks the end of more than 50 years of Marine Corps jump-jet operations.

www.twz.com