“An aircraft which is deployed and based as simply as a helicopter, but which packs the punch of a conventional attack aircraft is going to have a far-reaching effect on military aviation,” Maj. Gen. Homer S. Hill of the U.S. Marine Corps told a Congressional committee in 1970. The AV-8B Harrier, a testament to this prediction, has received its final maintenance in the United States, marking the end of an era for this unique aircraft.
The Harrier, renowned for its vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) capabilities, served as a potent attack aircraft in the US Marine Corps. Its lineage stretches back to the AV-8A and AV-8C models, ultimately culminating in the formidable AV-8B. On Sept. 26, at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE), Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, a final, informal ceremony was held in the AV-8 hangar. This event paid tribute to the past and present members of the Harrier team, acknowledging their dedication to this iconic aircraft.
Captain Randy Berti, FRCE Commanding Officer, praised the team, stating, “It’s an honor to lead a facility with such a remarkable legacy. For five decades, FRC East has been a cornerstone in supporting the Harrier program for both the Marine Corps and our nation’s allies. Our AV-8 platform’s success is directly attributed to the hard work and dedication of multiple generations of FRC East employees. I am proud of all this team has accomplished throughout the years and I look forward to what’s next.”
The sentiment was echoed by Aircraft Overhaul and Repair Supervisor Mike Stewart, who reflected on the poignant moment. “I’ve been working on the AV-8 platform for the past 30 years,” he shared. “It’s the only platform I’ve ever known, dating back to the start of my career in the Marine Corps in 1994 to 2011, when I began working here at FRC East.” Acknowledging the inevitable march of progress, Stewart continued, “With that, I know that every aircraft has its service life. We must evolve by improving our technology and tactics. F-35 is that new technology; it’s how we keep up and move to the future. Although the AV-8 is a great aircraft, it has served its purpose. It’s time to move on to the newer weapons platforms with more capabilities.”
The Harrier’s operational history is filled with notable contributions. British Harriers distinguished themselves in the Falklands Islands War in 1982, where they were instrumental in ground support, air defense, ship strikes, and reconnaissance. Their combat record was impressive, downing at least twenty Argentine aircraft without a single air-to-air loss. Almost two decades later, the U.S. Marine Corps took their Harriers to war. In Operation Desert Storm, eighty-six Harriers flew combat missions from both ship and shore, demonstrating their versatility. They logged 3,380 sorties for 4,038 hours, delivering over 5.95 million pounds of ordnance. Harriers continued to prove their worth in Operation Allied Force in Kosovo in 1999 and the subsequent Global War on Terror.
Business operations specialist Jeff Broughton, with 22 years of experience on the AV-8B platform, highlighted the team’s efficiency and effectiveness. “Our goal is to stay within our customers’ budgets and be good stewards of their funding,” Broughton explained. “We have met and exceeded that goal time and time again. Many of the aircraft we have worked on have been returned to the fleet earlier than originally planned and under our original cost estimates.”
Broughton shared a particularly memorable achievement from 2015. “One of our more outstanding inductions was an AV-8 that was damaged during the attack on Camp Bastion, Afghanistan,” he recalled. “It was one of our fastest turnarounds for a special rework induction, and I think that was partially because we knew the circumstances and were highly motivated to get it back to the squadron. Not only did we return that aircraft nearly a week ahead of schedule, we also did it under the original estimate. We play an important role in warfighter readiness here at FRC East. When something tragic like that happens, we come together and do whatever we can to help get the fleet back up and running.”
With the Marine Corps phasing out the Harrier in favor of the F-35 Lightning II, FRCE is transitioning to support this new platform. Broughton expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt. “For many years, we have established ourselves as being a successful and affordable option for the AV-8 community,” he said. “We have established good rapport with our customers and local squadrons because they know we get the work done. They know we provide high-quality product within a good price range that is in-line with their funding. We continue to be good stewards of their funding and continue to provide this quality of work, so they continue to choose us. As time goes on and platforms evolve, the way the AV-8 is transitioning to the F-35, we hope to remain their preferred depot source of repair.”
The transition from the AV-8B to the F-35 is a poignant one for many at FRCE. Ike Rettenmair, head of the AV-8 and F-35 branches, captured this sentiment. “I was filled with mixed emotions the day we rolled the last Harrier out,” he confessed. “I’ve supported the Harrier for 30 years in some capacity, starting with my time in the Marine Corps as an airframe mechanic. Throughout my time on the platform, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many remarkable individuals who possess a warrior mentality and take great pride in their service to the fleet. Even though this transition will be a big change for many of us, we remain proud and motivated in our support of the warfighter.”
As the sun sets on the Harrier’s service, the dedicated team at FRCE stands ready to embrace the future, carrying forward their legacy of excellence and unwavering commitment to the warfighter.
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