BRIEF

Marine Harrier Refuels Over Iraq

An AV-8B Harrier II from Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211) is refueled by a C-130J from the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR 252) above the Euphrates River in Iraq.  Both aircraft fly out of Al Asad, the Marine air base in Al Anbar Province.

The Harrier is a single-seat, light attack aircraft designed to provide offensive air support to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF).  Because of its Vertical/Short Take-Off or Landing (V/STOL) capability, the AV-8B can operate from a variety of amphibious ships, expeditionary airfields, damaged conventional airfields and even roads. This makes the aircraft particularly well-suited for providing close air support.

The Harrier platform has had its share of accidents in the past but has been improved over time.  In fact, we were on the HMS Illustrious on exercises in the mid-Atlantic in 1995.  A couple of days after we left the carrier, a Harrier had an engine malfunction while in a vertical landing and flipped over the side into the Atlantic top down.  Rescue personnel hovering near the Illustrious responded immediately and there were no casualties.

Also notice the Harrier carries an AGM-65F Maverick fire-and-forget tactical air-to-ground missile next to the fuel drop tank.  The F model Maverick uses an infra-red homing guidance system to guide the missile to the target and has been used extensively in support of ground operations in Al Anbar Province.