The U.S. Marine Corps is continuing its plan to retire all AV-8B Harrier II aircraft by 2026, and the Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE – a maintenance and repair base for naval aviation under the Navy’s Air Systems Command) has delivered the last Harrier jet to the 223rd Marine Attack Squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.
FRCE’s maintenance base supports the operational readiness of various military aircraft, handling maintenance, repair, and overhaul of aviation assets for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. To honor its longstanding partnership with the Harrier II, the FRCE team held a ceremony in the AV-8 hangar, where FRCE Commander Captain Randy Berti, along with AV-8B weapons system program office leaders, recognized the dedication and skill of the attack jet maintenance team.
FRCE has been supporting maintenance for the AV-8B Harrier since 1973, starting with the AV-8A model and its F402 engine, playing a crucial role in extending the platform’s service life. Now, as the Marine Corps transitions to F-35 Lightning II aircraft, the FRCE Harrier maintenance team is adapting its knowledge and expertise to this new platform. Many technicians who dedicated a significant part of their careers to the AV-8B Harrier are now facing this transition.
“The F-35 is the next step in capability development, allowing us to continue supporting the Marine Corps mission into the future,” said Mike Stewart, head of aircraft overhaul and maintenance.
Business operations specialist Jeff Broughton added that the Harrier team set a high standard for efficiency, often completing repairs faster than initially expected. This track record of meeting and exceeding targets has solidified FRCE’s reputation as a reliable repair center within the AV-8 community.
He recalled how the team swiftly restored an AV-8 damaged in the attack on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. This occurred on September 14, 2012, when Taliban insurgents breached Camp Bastion’s perimeter, targeting the runway where the attack jets were stationed. The assault was highly organized, lasted several hours, and resulted in the destruction of six AV-8B Harriers and damage to two more. The attack also claimed the lives of two Marines. This incident remains a significant chapter in Marine Corps history, as they rebuilt the squadron with additional AV-8B Harriers and the support needed to restore VMA-211 to combat readiness.
“Knowing the circumstances motivated us to quickly return the aircraft to the squadron, and we managed to complete the work a week ahead of schedule and within budget,” said Jeff Broughton. “This was possible thanks to the team’s commitment to supporting combat readiness.”
Following the official end of the AV-8 program, Ike Rettenmaier, head of FRCE’s AV-8 and F-35 repair divisions, reflected on the legacy of the Harrier, which he has supported for 30 years – from his time as a mechanic in the Marine Corps to his current leadership role. “We’ve been fortunate to work with some of the fleet’s most dedicated individuals. As we move to the next generation, we’ll continue to support it with the same commitment to excellence,” he stated.
FRCE employs around 4,000 civilians, military personnel, and contractors, making it the largest maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in North Carolina, with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion.
Source: theaviationist
