A rare formation flight of an F-35B stealth fighter and two Harrier II Plus

The already veteran AV-8B Harrier II Plus fighter is living out its final days in the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

The end of the operational life of a Harrier II Plus and the process to send it to a museum
A great demonstration of a Marine Harrier II in Cleveland before its farewell

Currently, there is only one Harrier II squadron left in the Marines: VMA-223 "Bulldogs", based at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. Founded on May 1, 1942 (during World War II), the unit has been flying the Harrier II since 1987 and is scheduled to retire in September 2026, making way for the F-35B, the STOVL version of this sophisticated stealth fighter.

On June 28-29, VMA-223 participated in the National Cherry Festival Airshow in Traverse City, Michigan. There, two Harrier IIs from the aforementioned squadron coincided with two F-35Bs from VMFAT-501 "Warlords", a training unit based at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. That airshow saw something rare: a formation flight of two Harrier II Plus aircraft and an F-35B, its successor. Yesterday, Preston Monoc posted an excellent video showing that formation flight and part of the F-35B display below:

You can see some screenshots from the video here. Here's the F-35B that participated in the display, 169293 BF-51 (501), flown by Lt. Col. Thomas K. "Brick" Whitesel:

One of the Harrier II Plus aircraft that participated in this display, 165592 (06), piloted by Major I. "Babs" Sharbel.

The other Harrier II in this formation flight, 165427 (25). The pilot's name is not indicated in his cockpit.

Next we see Harrier II 165427 (25) flying in formation with Lieutenant Colonel Whitesel's F-35B.

Finally, two photos of the F-35B and the Harrier IIs in formation. On the left is Harrier II 165427 (25), flying on the starboard side of the F-35B, and on the right we see 165592 (06). A historic flight that we are unlikely to see again.