End of an era as USMC AV-8Bs depart Japan for good

Posted on June 3, 2017 by alert5

The U.S. Marine Corps has ended its last AV-8B detachment at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan when VMA-311 took its aircraft and departed on Jun. 2.

An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 departs from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 2, 2017. VMA-311 is expected to be the last AV-8B Harrier squadron forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni as part of the unit deployment program. The squadron's departure caps the end of an era for U.S. attack aircraft in Japan and is a significant milestone for MCAS Iwakuni and Marine Corps aviation. — An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 departs from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 2, 2017. VMA-311 is expected to be the last AV-8B Harrier squadron forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni as part of the unit deployment program. The squadron’s departure caps the end of an era for U.S. attack aircraft in Japan and is a significant milestone for MCAS Iwakuni and Marine Corps aviation.