AV-8B that sustained battle damage during Taliban attack is back flying again

AV-8B BuNo. 165588 have several bullet holes in its fuselage when it arrived at Fleet Readiness Center East at Cherry Point three years ago after the deadly Taliban raid on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.

AV-8B Harrier II Plus - VMA-311 - BuNo 165588

To patch up the holes made by AK-47s, artisans at FRCE had to cut out some parts of the structure and spliced back in after repairs. In total, the jet required 760 days for repairs before it was serviceable and back flying with VMA-211 last spring.

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