A retired AV-8B that was damaged during the Camp Bastion attack in 2012 has been dedicated to the late Lt. Col. Christopher Raible and Sgt. Bradley Atwell on Aug. 19.
U.S. Marines, veterans and families pose in front an AV-8B Harrier during a dedication ceremony at the open air museum on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, August 19, 2021. Marines from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and across the Marine Corps participated in a ceremony unveiling and dedicating an AV-8B Harrier at the museum to the late Lt. Col. Christopher “Otis” Raible and Sgt. Bradley Atwell, whom gave their lives defending the aircraft as well as surrounding Marines during an attack on Camp Bastion, Afghanistan in 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alondra Ortiz-Montejano)
Both men were killed in Afghanistan when they launch a counterattack against the Taliban during their attack on the AV-8Bs parked there.
This AV-8B that is now at Marine Air Station Yuma Open Air Museum was damaged during the attack but quickly repaired and put back in service. It was also one of the last AV-8Bs operationally flown on the West Coast.
