USMC AV-8B Harrier II Final Public Demonstration

The USMC AV-8B Harrier performs its final public air show display at the 2024 MCAS Cherry Point Air Show. Shot on Sunday, May 12.

The USMC AV-8B Harrier II+ is a VSTOL capable close air support aircraft developed for the Royal Air Force. Known as the "Jump Jet" it has the ability to take off and land vertically, making it one of the most versatile attack aircraft in the world. Its Rolls Royce Pegasus engine uses four nozzles to vector thrust down (up to 15° forward) so that it can maneuver at zero air speed. Although subsonic, it is capable of reach speeds of 600 mph.

This is the final public display of this aircraft by the United States Marine Corps. There are currently two squadrons left in the USMC that operate the Harrier, both stationed at MCAS Cherry Point. The demo team is assigned to the VMA-231 Ace of Spades, and the other squadron is the VMA-223 Bulldogs. The Spanish and Italian Navies also operate the Harrier and will continue to fly it at air shows in Europe for a while. This demonstration included an extra high speed pass from behind the crowd to open (I didn't get a good shot of this) and a photo pass that we normally don't see. At the very end of the video, a cloud passes over and casts a shadow on the jet, symbolizing the sundown of the Harrier. Crazy timing. Also, please ignore the F-22 Raptor photobombing, nothing to see there.

Enjoy!