Originally Posted by
WE Branch Fanatic
I forgot that sometime during July or August, I had a quick look at a defence/aviation magazine (cannot remember which one) whilst passing through a newsagents. I gather that the USMC is intending to operate the AV8B until 2025-2030, and that of the 72 Harriers the UK sold to the US, 16 are still intact and meant to be flown as such, as noted
here.
Unfortunately, according to recent press reports, the 16 which are not at Davis-Monthan are at Cherry Point undergoing the USMC equivalent of 'Return to Produce'.
The USMC do not intend to fly any of the acquired Harriers
That's not to say that Illustrious couldn't embark a USMC squadron, in the same way that Ark Royal did one her last deployment.