2nd MAW is the Marine Corps’ service-retained ACE. Headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, 2nd MAW is permanently based at three Marine Corps Air Stations in North Carolina and South Carolina and serves as the ACE for II MEF. 2nd MAW is operationally focused and consists of professional and dedicated Marines, Sailors and civilians that provide combat-ready aviation forces to II MEF and the MAGTF commander. 2nd MAW generates and maintains combat readiness, increases lethality through modernization, generates operationally excellent aviation units, continuously refines warfighting concepts, and stands ready to forward deploy to meet any challenge around the globe.
In the summer of 2026, the U.S. Marine Corps will sundown the AV-8B Harrier II as part of the Tactical Aircraft transition plan as the Marine Corps progresses toward an all-5th generation TACAIR fleet. This video celebrates the conclusion of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223's nearly 40 years of flight operations with the Harrier platform. VMA-223 is the U.S. Marine Corps' last operational Harrier squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. David Ornelas Baeza) This video contains music from a USMC licensed asset from Adobe Stock.
A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, passes under a water salute at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, June 3, 2026. 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. VMA-223 is the U.S. Marine Corps' last operational Harrier squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)
U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct an AV-8B Harrier II “sundown” ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 3, 2026. The “sundown” of the AV-8B Harrier II, an iconic aircraft that has supported joint and Marine Corps operations for 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. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. David Ornelas Baeza)
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. – Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, known as “the Bulldogs”, celebrated the conclusion of nearly 40 years of operational history with the AV-8B Harrier II during a public ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Wednesday. The ceremony marked an important moment in time for VMA-223 and also signaled the end of an era for Marine Corps aviation as the service continues its transition to an all-5th generation tactical aircraft fleet.
“The Bulldogs are extremely proud to conduct the final Harrier operations for the U.S. Marine Corps”, said Lt. Col. John B. Cumbie, commanding officer of VMA-223. “As a platform that has continuously forward deployed across the globe, the...
