AV-8Bs from VMA-311 departed USS Bonhomme Richard for good on Aug. 21, bringing an end to the Harrier’s deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
An AV-8B Harrier belonging to Marine Attack Squadron 311 launches off the end of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), Feb. 4, 2017. VMA-311, which departed the BHR Aug. 21 after its farewell tour as part of the 31st MEU, is slated to be the final Harrier squadron to support the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from a forward-deployed station. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form the amphibious component of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 combine to provide a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Petty Officer 2nd Class Diana Quinlan and Staff Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)
