The Tillamook Air Museum is preparing for the arrival of a combat-tested Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier. The aircraft will make the flight under its own power from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California to Oregon in August.
According to museum officials, the target arrival date is August 4, depending on weather and operational schedules. It is suggested the public monitor the museum’s social media channels as the date approaches.
The Harrier will be accompanied by a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, which will be carrying the crew responsible for demilitarizing the aircraft to prepare it for permanent exhibition.
It’s very rare that a museum-quality aircraft, much less a military jet, flies into the museum located at the Tillamook Airport (KTMK).
About the Aircraft
The Harrier was delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps on March 30, 1995. This particular aircraft is a production radar model, built as a Harrier II+, originally designed for frontline service with enhanced capabilities.
According to military records, it was used in combat in multiple theaters over a 30-year time span, including missions during Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, where it was attached to the USS Boxer and forward air bases such as Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. It was also part of combat operations from the USS Peleliu, USS Nassau, and USS America, including roles in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, and the Arabian Gulf.
In one deployment, its unit provided aerial support following the collision of the USS John S. McCain near Singapore.
The jet has logged 5,518 total flight hours, including 631 combat hours flown across 88 missions, and completed 5,457 landings. After retiring from its fleet combat role, it was transferred to China Lake, where it served as a test platform supporting developmental and evaluation programs.
According to Tillamook Air Museum curator Christian Gurling, the aircraft is on “long-term loan” from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.
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“This aircraft represents an extraordinary chapter in modern military aviation,” said Gurling in a news release. “We are proud to accept this historic piece of Marine Corps history. Acquisitions such as this are fast positioning the Tillamook Air Museum as a world-class destination for aviation heritage, as we continue to broaden and enhance the scope of our exhibits.”
Museum officials said the public is invited to watch the airplane’s arrival.
“The arrival of a combat-tested Harrier flown directly from China Lake is a momentous occasion and one of the most significant acquisitions in the museum’s history,” said Rita Welch, Tillamook Air Museum director. “This aircraft greatly enhances our collection and strengthens our ability to educate the public about military aviation. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Bonnie Towne at the National Naval Aviation Museum for her dedication and hard work in facilitating this loan. Her efforts were critical in making this historic transfer possible.
“We are honored to care for this remarkable piece of history and look forward to sharing its story with our visitors.”
Museum officials recognized others who made the transfer possible, including Pablo “Louie” Sanchez, AV-8B assistant program manager for logistics (APML), who is leading the AV-8B Museum Task Force. Sanchez and his crew have been instrumental in the coordination of the project.
The museum also notes tourist bureau Visit Tillamook Coast for helping to secure lodging for the Harrier’s demilitarization crew and Tillamook Inn and Suites for hosting them while in Tillamook.
About the Tillamook Air Museum
The Tillamook Air Museum is located on the coast of Oregon, approximately 53 nm southwest of Portland. KTMK was established in 1942 by the U.S. Navy as a base for K-class airships that were used for anti-submarine patrol and convoy escort.
The Navy built two massive wooden hangars to house the airships that remained after the base was decommissioned in 1948 and the airport became a civilian facility. One of the hangars was destroyed by fire in 1992, while the other now houses the museum.
