The roar of vertical takeoff may have quieted, but the legacy of U.S. Marine Corps aviation lives on at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, where a newly retired AV-8B Harrier II+ joined the base as a static display marking a powerful continuation of USMC air power and remembrance. 

On June 10, three AV-8B Harriers lifted off from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, bound for three corners of the nation. After two aerial refueling operations mid-route, the aircraft, Bureau Number (BuNo) 165428, split formation near Albuquerque, New Mexico flying westward to MCAS Yuma. The final Harrier in the trio was piloted by Lt. Col. Paul “Possum” Truog, commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231. 

This third mission was part of a nine-day cross-country coordinated effort led by AV-8B Harrier Program Office (PMA-257), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 14, and Marines from VMA-231 to retire, demilitarize and preserve Harriers for public display. The team had already completed work in Aurora, Colorado and Mesa, Arizona before arriving in Yuma. 

The Marine demilitarization team, led by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Neil Vislosky and Gunnery Sgt. David Thompkins, arrived on site June 16 and immediately began prepping the aircraft.  

Over the following two days, the aircraft was towed into Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VFMA) 211’s hangar where they completed technical and safety procedures to make it safe for display.  

With temperatures soaring to 115°F, the Marines pushed through the mission with discipline and precision capping off a flawless multi-site operation. 

The arrival of BuNo 165428 carries significance far beyond its own storied combat record. For years, MCAS Yuma displayed a Harrier aircraft, BuNo 165588, known as the “Bastion Survivor.”  

On Sept. 14, 2012, Taliban insurgents attacked Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, destroying multiple Harriers on the flight line and claiming the lives of two Marines, Lt. Col. Christopher “Otis” Raible and Sgt. Bradley Atwell. BuNo 165588 was the only aircraft damaged in the attack that was fully repaired and returned to combat service to fly again in their honor.  

“Having BuNo 165428 on display at Yuma—while 165588 transitions to the national stage—is a meaningful handoff,” said Pablo “Louie” Sanchez, PMA-257 logistics assistant program manager and museum task force lead. “Each of these aircraft represents a unique chapter in U.S. Marine Corps history. Together, they tell a story of dedication, operational excellence, and sacrifice.” 

BuNo 165428 now takes the place of BuNo 165588 as MCAS Yuma’s Harrier static display and BuNo 165588 will be stored under cover until it can be placed at a larger nationally recognized museum as an indoor display, to better preserve and display this special aircraft.

BuNo 165428 logged over 9,000 total hours and 1,364 combat hours, serving in multiple operations alongside Expeditionary Units and supporting ground forces across the globe. It ensures the local legacy of Marine Corps Harrier aviation remains visible to every Marine, veteran, and visitor who passes through Yuma’s gates. 

The aircraft is currently positioned in a protected area to shield it from the desert sun as plans are finalized to install it at the front gate later this year—likely in October 2025. 

As the sun continues to set on the Harrier’s operational career, its legacy remains grounded in the Marines who flew it, maintained it, and defended it at MCAS Yuma.