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Official US Marine Corps poster 美国军方正在为另一款标志性战机的退役做准备，最后一批飞行员已经完成了AV-8B“鹞II”轻型攻击机的训练。

As we have explained in the past, the U.S. Marine Corps is stepping up plans to withdraw the Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft from active service by the end of 2026, a latest development that is highly symbolic in preparation for retirement.

At a media conference on April 1, the U.S. Marine Corps Second Aviation Wing (MAW) announced that the last two pilots had completed their AV-8B training course. On March 29, Capt. Joshua Corbett and Capt. Sven Jorgensen received the 7509 Military Career Professional (MOS) qualification, which represents the U.S. Marine Corps pilots qualified to fly the Harrier II light attack aircraft.

This article is a review article on the American "War Zone" website. The author is Thomas Newdick. He translated and edited it for everyone to share.

▲ 3月27日，Joshua Corbett在北卡罗来纳州樱桃角海军陆战队航空基地起飞前，拍照留念。

The two pilots were trained to replace AV-8Bs in the Fleet Rotation Detachment (FRD), a training unit of the 14th Marine Aviation Group (MAG) of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Wing 2 at the Marine Corps Air Base at Cherry Point, North Carolina.

▲ 3月27日，Joshua Corbett上尉在起飞前进行检查。

According to the recently released "Marine Corps Aviation Plan 2022", the U.S. Marine Corps recruits 16 AV-8B pilots in fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021, 10 AV-8B pilots in fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2023, and 4 AV-8B pilots were recruited in fiscal year 2024, and this entry will not be listed thereafter.

▲ Joshua Corbett进入美国海军陆战队第223攻击中队的AV-8B座舱内，该中队的AV-8B曾经拍摄过电影《真实的谎言》。

The pilots 'final training was for low-altitude close air support, reflecting the role the AV-8B has been specifically performing since it was first equipped with the U.S. Marine Corps 40 years ago. In January 1984, the first AV-8B arrived at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Base. Since 1971, the U.S. Marine Corps has been equipped with the lower-performing AV-8A Harrier light attack aircraft.

▲ 2023年12月24日，一架AV-8B挂载AIM-120先进中程空空导弹和Litening瞄准吊舱，从“巴丹”号两栖攻击舰上起飞。

The AV-8B has participated in Operation Desert Storm, Allied Operations over the former Yugoslavia, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraq Freedom over Afghanistan, and has also participated in recent military operations by the US military. The AV-8B can still be seen on board the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship patrolling the Red Sea, fighting against Houthi drones and missiles.

However, soon after, the U.S. Marine Corps will announce the withdrawal of this legendary light attack aircraft.

Joshua Corbett explained:"The end of training for the last batch of AV-8B pilots will be the beginning of the retirement of this light attack aircraft." The Harrier II has more emotional resonance than many aircraft I have encountered, and it is a very complex emotion for the public, the aviation community, the Marine Corps, and especially the Harrier II pilots. All good things will end and it will be our turn soon, but not yet."

▲ 2012年8月14日，美国海军陆战队第214攻击中队的一架AV-8B首次在佛罗里达州上空发射AIM-120先进中程空空导弹。
截至2022年美国海军陆战队航空计划，该军种拥有62架“鹞II”作为主要任务指定飞机（PMAA）。在62架PMAA飞机中，56架是单座AV-8B（当时平均机龄为23岁），6架是TAV-8B双座教练机。单座型配备了AN/APG-65雷达，是从F/A-18A/B“大黄蜂”拆下来的二手货，具有空战能力。

早在2022年，美国海军陆战队还有四个现役的AV-8B中队，但此后驻樱桃角的第542攻击中队（VMA-542）和驻亚利桑那州尤马海军陆战队航空基地的第214攻击中队（VMA-214）换装其他飞机。在此过程中，AV-8B机队相应缩小，我们已经与美国海军陆战队联系，希望了解现役的AV-8B总数。
▲ 美国海军陆战队最新的航空装备情况，显示逐步撤装AV-8B的过程。

如果第231攻击中队（VMA-231）同样撤装“鹞II”战斗机，美国海军陆战队现役最后装备AV-8B轻型攻击机的将成为驻樱桃角的第223“斗牛犬”攻击中队。按计划，该中队将继续装备AV-8B直到2026年9月，并作为美国海军陆战队远征部队的一部分参与实战部署行动。
VMA-223指挥官Nathaniel Smith中校表示：“无论是对于美国海军陆战队，还是北卡罗来纳州东部，对于我都为AV-8B感到无比自豪。我们的部队是驻北卡罗来纳州东部武装力量的一部分，数十年来无数的海军陆战队员和平民为我们的成功做出了贡献。很高兴看到最后两名学员从FRD毕业并加入部队。我们的飞行员、维护人员和支持团队在保证VMA-223的FRD和任务方面做出了出色的贡献。我期待我们继续为国内外的第2航空联队和海军陆战队空地特遣部队做出贡献。”

▲ 美国海军陆战队第122战斗攻击中队的F-35B“闪电II”。

Replacing the U.S. Marine Corps 'active Harrier II light attack aircraft is the F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter, which has been quickly equipped with the U.S. Marine Corps and has become part of its expeditionary force for deployment operations.

In addition to the U.S. Marine Corps, Italy and Spain are still equipping AV-8Bs. Italy also purchased the F-35B to replace the AV-8B. If Spain wants to continue to equip jet fighters on light aircraft carriers, it can only purchase the F-35B.

▲ 尽管AV-8B已经进入服役末期，但美国海军陆战队仍会继续为其进行升级。

The AV-8B Harrier II light attack aircraft are still undergoing upgrades and improving combat capabilities until they are retired. However, it is questionable whether other militaries will be willing to take over these Harrier II.

Although it is unlikely, Ukraine urgently needs new fighter jets and may take over part of the AV-8Bs. Due to the AV-8B's unique operating technology and training, Ukraine is almost unable to equip this attack aircraft. The AV-8B has vertical take-off and landing capabilities and can launch AIM-120 air-to-air missiles to perform tasks that traditional fixed-wing fighters cannot undertake. Previously, Turkey expressed interest in the U.S. Harrier II light attack aircraft, but this situation changed as Turkey invested heavily in the development of drones.

The U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B was retired almost together with the U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II and decided to perform its last public flight performance at the Cherry Point Air Show on May 11 and 12. Subsequently, the U.S. Marine Corps will continue to equip AV-8Bs.

根据2025财年预算草案，美国海军陆战队“鹞II”机队包括47架配备雷达的AV-8B（其中10架是全新生产的，37架由升级而来）和6架TAV-8B双座教练型。据第309航空航天维护和再生大队（AMARG）表示，截至2024年3月，还有20架AV-8B封存在飞机坟场，但具体封存情况并未说明。

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