USMC To Hold ‘Sundown’ Ceremony For AV-8B Harrier II This Week

BusinessAerospace & DefenseUSMC To Hold ‘Sundown’ Ceremony For AV-8B Harrier II This WeekByPeter Suciu,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Suciu covers trends in the world of aerospace and defense.Follow AuthorJun 01, 2026, 12:01pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II aircraft with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly over Eastern North Carolina, May 15, 2026(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Ornelas Baeza)The United States Marine Corps is marking the end of an era at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Attack Squadron 223 (CVW-223) hosting the official AV-8B Harrier II “Sundown Ceremony” on the flightline on Wednesday.“The ‘sundown’ of the AV-8B Harrier II, an iconic aircraft that has supported joint and Marine Corps operations for over 40 years, also represents the dawn of a new era; it paves the way for 2nd MAW’s full transition to the F-35B and C Lightning II,” the USMCUSMC announced in a post on X last week.The USMC has been preparing for the AV-8B Harrier II’s upcoming retirement for several years.In 2025, one of the oldest fighter squadrons concluded flight operations with its McDonnell Douglas AV-8B.Marine Attack Squadron 231 (VMA-231), the “Ace of Spades,” which was established as the 1st Division, Squadron 1, in February 1919, had operated the AV-8B since September 1985 and became the first unit to operate the Harrier II in combat during 1991’s Operation Desert Storm. It went on to take part in Operations Allied Force, Odyssey Dawn, Inherent Resolve, and Prosperity Guardian.During its combat service history, the Harrier II was typically armed with a wide range of weapon systems, including the air-to-air AMRAAM and Sparrow missiles, air-to-surface AGM-65 Maverick missiles, an...