VMA-542 has completed its Aviation Training Relocation Program at Chitose Air Base, Japan on Dec. 22. With the F-35B being deployed to Japan next year, this could be the last time the AV-8B Harrier visits Hokkaidō.
A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 taxis to the runway during the Aviation Relocation Training Program at Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 14, 2016. VMA-542 is conducting training at Chitose Air Base in an effort to increase operational readiness between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Air Self Defense Force, improve interoperability and reduce noise concerns of aviation training on local communities by disseminating training locations throughout Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. James A. Guillory)
