On May 13, 2025, a recently retired AV-8B Harrier II+ has officially joined the collection at the Fort Worth Aviation Museum (FWAM), landing in style and ready to inspire future generations of aviators and engineers. The aircraft arrived following a coordinated effort between the AV-8B Weapons Systems Program Office (PMA-257), Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Aircraft Group 14, and Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231. The team ensured the aircraft was fully demilitarized and safe for public display.
On arrival day, VMA-231 pilot Capt. Zach “Yoda” Moore flew the Harrier into Fort Worth, thrilling onlookers with a ceremonial flyby before executing a precision vertical landing on the museum grounds. “Of over 40 aircraft in our collection, this is one of the most unique and fascinating ever flown into the museum,” said Ben Guttery, FWAM’s Collections Manager. “Its extensive combat history makes it an invaluable addition, and we look forward to displaying it alongside our AV-8A to showcase the evolution of the Harrier within Marine Corps aviation.” The museum recently received a North American F-100F Super Sabre, generously donated by AirWorx. Read our full article here.
Designated Bureau Number (BuNo) 165357, this Harrier originally entered service with the U.S. Marine Corps on September 16, 1985, as a Day Attack variant. After being stricken from the inventory, it was remanufactured and reentered service on June 12, 1998, as an AV-8B Harrier II+. Over the course of its operational life, it flew with VMAs 223, 231, and 542, accumulating 995 recorded combat flight hours and a total of 8,955 flight hours. The aircraft supported multiple Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments and took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, humanitarian missions, and other high-profile taskings.
Pablo “Louie” Sanchez, logistics assistant program manager for PMA-257 and lead of the museum transfer task force, praised the teamwork involved in the aircraft’s delivery. “Chief Warrant Officer 2 Neil Vislosky and the Marine demilitarization team did an outstanding job preparing the aircraft,” Sanchez said. “Their coordination with personnel from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 41 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 at Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth reflects their professionalism and dedication to mission success.”
The Fort Worth Aviation Museum, which bills itself as having the “most touchable warbirds in North Texas,” is dedicated to preserving aviation history, educating the public, and inspiring youth. The museum’s slogan—“Giving wings to youth and community through our aviation roots”—captures its commitment to education and outreach, values strongly reflected in the addition of the Harrier to its growing collection.
The AV-8B Harrier II+ is a vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) light attack jet used by the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as the Italian and Spanish navies. Designed to deliver lethal firepower in austere environments, the Harrier provides close and deep air support, armed reconnaissance, air interdiction, and offensive/defensive anti-air warfare. Its ability to operate from carriers, expeditionary airfields, and remote tactical landing sites has made it a versatile and enduring asset over its four decades of service.
With the arrival of BuNo 165357, the Fort Worth Aviation Museum continues its mission to preserve historic aircraft and honor those who flew them—while inspiring the next generation to aim high.
