VMA-223
The Great American Bulldogs — Harrier Operations 1987–2026
The Bulldogs traded their A-4M Skyhawks for the AV-8B Harrier II in 1987 and flew the jet for nearly four decades, from the coast of Liberia to Iraq and Kandahar. On June 3, 2026, VMA-223 conducted the final Harrier operations in the United States Marine Corps.
Quick Facts
Nickname: Bulldogs
Harrier years: October 1987 – June 2026
Aircraft: AV-8B Harrier II, including the radar-equipped Harrier II Plus
Home base: MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.
Parent units: Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Tail code: WP
Distinction: The last Harrier squadron in the Marine Corps
What's next: VMFA-223, flying the F-35B
The Harrier Years
1987 — The first AV-8B Harrier II arrives in October, replacing the A-4M Skyhawk.
1989 — First Harrier deployment with the Sixth Fleet, a detachment aboard USS Nassau.
1990 — Flying from USS Saipan, the Bulldogs fly combat air patrols during Operation Sharp Edge, the evacuation of Liberia.
1991 — A six-plane detachment is based at Naval Station Rota, Spain, during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
1992 — Deploys to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.
2003 — Goes to war in Iraq with the 26th MEU, flying from USS Bataan.
2005–06 — Flies combat missions over Iraq from Al Asad, relieving VMA-142. On February 10, 2006, a combat mission carries the squadron past 60,000 Class A mishap-free flight hours.
2010 — Sails with the 24th MEU aboard USS Nassau, supporting Haiti earthquake relief and later operating off the Horn of Africa.
2011–12 — Flies combat operations from Kandahar, Afghanistan, under Lt. Col. Thomas D. Gore.
2014 — On August 7, becomes the first East Coast Harrier squadron to live-fire the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
2025–26 — Final MEU deployment, with the 22nd MEU aboard USS Iwo Jima.
2026 — Final Marine Corps Harrier operations on June 3.
Going to War
Liberia. In the summer of 1990, Bulldog Harriers flying from USS Saipan provided combat air patrols during Operation Sharp Edge, the evacuation of Americans and foreign nationals from war-torn Liberia.
Desert Storm. In January 1991 the Bulldogs sent a six-plane detachment to Naval Station Rota, Spain, in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Iraq. In 2003 the squadron went to war with the 26th MEU aboard USS Bataan during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2005 VMA-223 deployed ashore to Al Asad Air Base, taking over from VMA-142, and flew combat missions over Iraq into 2006.
The Horn of Africa. In 2010 the Bulldogs sailed aboard USS Nassau and operated off Somalia, flying missions over Yemen.
“We sat in the Horn of Africa, off of Somalia, and we did Yemen ops. … The only deployment I got shot at was over Yemen.”
— Trevor Felter, VMA-223 pilot, 2006–2010
Afghanistan. From October 2011 to April 2012 the Bulldogs flew from Kandahar Airfield in support of Operation Enduring Freedom under Lt. Col. Thomas D. Gore, who called it the fastest start of any Harrier squadron in theater.
Detachments. Between 2013 and 2015, VMA-223 Harrier detachments sailed with Marine Expeditionary Units in operations tied to Libya, the Horn of Africa and Iraq.
The Last Cruise. From August 2025 to May 2026, the Bulldogs' final MEU detachment deployed with the 22nd MEU aboard USS Iwo Jima in support of Operation Southern Spear.
At Sea
1989 — USS Nassau.
1990 — USS Saipan: Operation Sharp Edge, off Liberia.
1991 — USS Wasp.
1999 — USS Bataan.
2003 — USS Bataan, 26th MEU: Operation Iraqi Freedom.
2010 — USS Nassau, 24th MEU: Haiti earthquake relief and the Horn of Africa.
2013–15 — MEU detachments: Libya, the Horn of Africa and Iraq.
2025–26 — USS Iwo Jima, 22nd MEU: Operation Southern Spear.
The Maintainers
The Harrier flew only as well as the Marines who fixed it. Bulldog maintainers carried the squadron past 50,000 Class A mishap-free flight hours in 2003, 60,000 in 2006 and 80,000 in 2013. Under Lt. Col. Thomas D. Gore, the squadron passed all 53 programs in a Commander, Naval Air Forces inspection and earned 13 Bravo Zulus.
“We were always in competition with 223 at the time because now 223 became the big dogs on campus.”
— Trevor Felter, former VMA-231 executive officer
The Bulldog and the Rising Sun
VMA-223 traces its lineage to Marine Fighting Squadron 223, one of the first Marine fighter squadrons to reach Guadalcanal's Henderson Field in August 1942. The squadron's Harriers carried a distinctive rising sun rudder pattern as an homage to that World War II history.
Awards and Milestones
1998 — CNO Aviation Safety Award.
1999 — Sanderson Trophy, as the Marine Corps' top attack squadron.
2003 — 50,000 Class A mishap-free flight hours, reaching 60,000 in 2006 and 80,000 in 2013.
2010–12 — Passed all 53 programs in a Commander, Naval Air Forces inspection, earning 13 Bravo Zulus.
2014 — First East Coast Harrier squadron to live-fire the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
The squadron flew BuNo 166288, WP-18, the last Harrier built for the Marine Corps. It is now at Pensacola.
In Memoriam
February 12, 1990 — AV-8B BuNo 163187 crashed in a remote area near Twentynine Palms, Calif., killing its pilot. We are still confirming his name.
This record is still being compiled. If you served with VMA-223 and can help us honor the Bulldogs we lost, please share your story.
Harrier Commanding Officers
Lt. Col. Jon M. Davis — 1998–2000
Lt. Col. John K. Adams — until October 2010
Lt. Col. Thomas D. Gore — 2010–2012
Lt. Col. William Sauerland — 2012–2013
Lt. Col. Roger T. McDuffie — 2013–2015
Lt. Col. Benjamin K. Hutchins — from 2015
Lt. Col. Wineman — until December 2019
Lt. Col. Arthur Q. Bruggeman — 2019–2021
Lt. Col. Phillip T. Ash — 2021–2022
Lt. Col. Nathaniel D. Smith — 2022–2024
Lt. Col. John B. Cumbie — 2024–2026, final Harrier commanding officer
This list is still being compiled. If you commanded or flew with VMA-223, help us complete it.
Sundown
On June 3, 2026, more than 5,000 people turned out as the Bulldogs flew the last Harrier operations in the Marine Corps.
“The Bulldogs are extremely proud to conduct the final Harrier operations for the U.S. Marine Corps.”
— Lt. Col. John B. Cumbie, VMA-223 commanding officer
VMA-223 is scheduled to return as VMFA-223, flying the F-35B Lightning II.
The Harrier Legacy Project
The Bulldogs' story is part of The Harrier Legacy Project, CALLSIGN Publishing's 136-page commemorative book on the Marine Corps AV-8 Harrier community, built from more than two years of embedded reporting, original photography and firsthand oral histories. Learn about the book →
More Harrier Squadrons
VMA-211 Wake Island Avengers · VMA-214 Black Sheep · VMA-231 Ace of Spades · VMA-311 Tomcats · VMA-331 Bumblebees · VMA-513 Flying Nightmares · VMA-542 Tigers · VMAT-203 Hawks · VX-4 Evaluators · VX-5 Vampires · VX-9 Vampires · VX-31 Dust Devils
Frequently Asked Questions
When did VMA-223 start flying the Harrier? The squadron received its first AV-8B Harrier II in October 1987, replacing the A-4M Skyhawk.
Which squadron flew the Marine Corps' last Harrier operations? VMA-223. The Bulldogs conducted the final Marine Corps Harrier operations on June 3, 2026, at their sundown.
Who was VMA-223's last Harrier commanding officer? Lt. Col. John B. Cumbie, who took command in 2024.
What wars did VMA-223 fight in with the Harrier? The Bulldogs supported Desert Shield and Desert Storm from Rota, Spain, flew in Operation Iraqi Freedom and flew combat operations in Afghanistan from Kandahar.
What will VMA-223 fly next? The squadron is scheduled to return as VMFA-223, flying the F-35B Lightning II.
Sources and Further Reading
VMA-223 celebrates sundown as Marine Corps' final Harrier squadron, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
VMA-223 celebrates sundown, Seapower
VMA-223, Wikipedia
Interviews conducted by CALLSIGN Publishing for The Harrier Legacy Project.
Last updated September 2026.