AV-8B Harrier II

Flight Journal, Aug 2000 by Llinares, Rick

The mainstay of the U.S. Marine Corps light-attack community is the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II. Unique among warplanes in that it can take off and land vertically and within a very short distance, the Harrier "Jump Jet" is one of the only vertical/short-takeoff-andlanding (V/STOL) fighters around. It allows the Marines' Air/Ground Task Force to position close air support on the front line and over a beachhead during an amphibious assault.

To take off and land, the AV-8B requires only a small clearing or a road, and because it's small and carries a modest fuel load, it can send more valuable time over target areas. In addition to this, the Marines often use it to conduct expeditionary amphibious assaults that allow the Harrier-with helicopters-to operate from Navy assault carriers just off a developing beachhead.

Today, the Harrier is operated by eight Attack Squadrons designated "VMA" from Marine Corps Air Stations Yuma and Cherry Point. There are several variants In the (Corps inventory, which includes the single-seat AV-8B II and II Plus night-attack aircraft. They are distinguished by the forward-- looking infrared unit mounted atop their noses. Harrier pilots also use night-vision goggles that allow them to support Marine infantry around the clock, and the "Hawks" of MAT-201 use the two-seat TA/V-8B version far training purposes.