The Last USMC Harrier ever built has been demilitarized and moved to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, for permanent static display. BuNo 166288, delivered by Boeing in September 2003 and assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 223 (VMA-223), “the Bulldogs,” logged more than 5,800 flight hours over two decades, deploying aboard multiple L-class amphibious assault ships and to land bases in support of combat operations.

The aircraft’s move closes out a broader retirement. VMA-223 flew the Marine Corps’ final AV-8B Harrier II flight on June 3, 2026, ending 55 years of Marine Corps Harrier service that began in 1971 with the British-built AV-8A.

The Last Harrier’s Journey to Pensacola

BuNo 166288, carrying the Modex WP-18, was the final AV-8B Harrier II built for the U.S. Marine Corps. Before it could travel to Florida, the aircraft had to be demilitarized at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, with all critical equipment removed and its wings detached to make it safe for static display and road transport.

Technician guides a detached wing from the last USMC-built AV-8B Harrier II as it's lifted by crane at MCAS Cherry Point
A technician guides one of BuNo 166288’s wings as it’s lifted free during demilitarization at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, ahead of the aircraft’s move to the National Naval Aviation Museum. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo/PMA-226)

The Naval Air Systems Command office that oversees the aircraft, PMA-226, took the process photos on July 22, 2026, but did not release them on the DVIDS network until September 9. After reassembly, the aircraft joined the museum’s static collection, where it will remain on permanent display.

Marine Corps maintainers work beneath the last USMC-built AV-8B Harrier II during demilitarization at MCAS Cherry Point
Maintainers work beneath BuNo 166288 during demilitarization at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, ahead of the aircraft’s move to the National Naval Aviation Museum. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo/PMA-226)

Preserving a Program’s History

The aircraft’s final mission and destination were organized by Pablo “Louie” Sanchez, Assistant Program Manager for Logistics in the AV-8B V/STOL Attack Program Office (PMA-257) and lead of the Harrier Museum Task Force. Sanchez is a retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who has worked on the AV-8B program since 1989, first as a mechanic and later as a civilian member of the program office.

Marines and Naval Air Systems Command personnel gather around the last USMC-built AV-8B Harrier II at MCAS Cherry Point before its move to museum display
Marines and program-office personnel gather around BuNo 166288 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, ahead of the aircraft’s departure for the National Naval Aviation Museum. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo/PMA-226)

“Each aircraft has a story, and BuNo 166288, being the last USMC-produced Harrier, seemed fitting to find its final home in the National Naval Aviation Museum.”

Pablo “Louie” Sanchez, AV-8B V/STOL Attack Program Office, Harrier Museum Task Force Lead

Fifty-Five Years of Marine Corps Harrier Service

The Last USMC Harrier’s move to Pensacola followed a separate retirement milestone two months earlier. On June 3, 2026, VMA-223 flew the AV-8B Harrier II’s final operational flight in a sundown ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point, closing out the Marine Corps’ 55-year relationship with the Harrier family. That relationship began in 1971 with the British-built AV-8A and continued from 1985 with the American-built AV-8B Harrier II, of which Boeing and its predecessor McDonnell Douglas built 337 examples for the Marine Corps.

VMA-223, known as “the Bulldogs,” was the Corps’ last operational Harrier squadron. The unit is slated to reactivate as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 223, transitioning to the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II as part of the Marine Corps’ move to an all-fifth-generation tactical aircraft fleet.

FAQ: Last USMC Harrier

Which aircraft was the last AV-8B Harrier built for the Marine Corps?

BuNo 166288, delivered by Boeing in September 2003 and assigned to VMA-223. It logged more than 5,800 flight hours before its retirement and demilitarization for museum display.

When did the Marine Corps retire the AV-8B Harrier?

VMA-223 flew the type’s final operational flight on June 3, 2026, at MCAS Cherry Point, ending 55 years of Marine Corps Harrier service.

What will VMA-223 fly next?

The squadron is slated to reactivate as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 223, transitioning to the F-35B Lightning II.

Looking Ahead

The Last USMC Harrier will remain on permanent static display at the National Naval Aviation Museum, joining other retired Marine Corps aircraft in Pensacola. The next milestone to watch is VMA-223’s reactivation as a Marine fighter attack squadron flying the F-35B, which will close the loop on the Marine Corps’ transition away from the Harrier entirely.

Sources

Nabeel Khan

Written by

Nabeel Khan

Nabeel Khan is the founder and editor of The Aviation Diary. An aerospace industry professional and lifelong aviation enthusiast, he covers military aviation, commercial aviation, aerospace, defense, and space. He built an aviation following across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Threads before launching The Aviation Diary to bring that same coverage to a dedicated news site. Views expressed are his own.

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