United States Marine Corps TAV-8B Retired

The retirement of the US Marine Corps Harrier fleet on June 3, 2026, also ended the career of the TAV-8B, the two-seat trainer variant used to qualify Harrier pilots. One TAV-8B flew alongside four single-seat AV-8Bs of Marine Attack Squadron 223 during the farewell ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. For decades the trainer supported conversion training for the type across the Harrier community. VMA-223, the last operational Harrier squadron, is expected to deactivate in September 2026, completing the Marine Corps transition to the F-35B Lightning II as its sole short takeoff and vertical landing combat aircraft.