A Harrier Jet Is Coming to NAS Wildwood

A Harrier Jet Is Coming to NAS Wildwood

The Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) Aviation Museum, located at Cape May Airport in Lower Township, is preparing to welcome one of the U.S. Marine Corps’ most iconic aircraft: an AV-8B Harrier II+ (Bureau Number 164554).

This battle-hardened jet isn’t just another static display—it’s a veteran of 219 combat missions and 755 combat flight hours across multiple U.S. military campaigns.

The Harrier, known for its unique ability to take off and land vertically like a helicopter, will arrive at NASW by truck on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 4th, depending on transport logistics.

Once it reaches Cape May Airport, the aircraft will be carefully moved into the museum’s enormous WWII-era Hangar #1, a 92,000-square-foot relic that once trained Navy dive-bomber pilots.

Brought into service in 1993, this particular Harrier first flew with Marine Attack Squadron VMA-542 before later joining the legendary VMA-223 “Bulldogs.” Its final flight took place as recently as December 1, 2024, out of MCAS Cherry Point.

While not the very last of its kind to fly, it’s among the final AV-8Bs still in active service—making its arrival at NAS Wildwood both timely and historically significant.

The Harrier’s legacy is built on its V/STOL capabilities (Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing), which allowed it to launch from aircraft carriers, remote airstrips, and even makeshift forward operating bases.

Also See: The Wildwoods Memorial Day Weekend Video Recap 2025 

That flexibility proved essential during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where quick response times and precision air support could mean the difference between life and death for ground troops.

The story doesn’t end with just the aircraft—it’s also about the squadron it flew with. VMA-223 traces its roots back to 1942 as Marine Fighter Squadron 223 (VMF-223).

During WWII, the Bulldogs became the first Marine fighter squadron to see combat at the Battle of Guadalcanal, flying out of the embattled Henderson Field with the famous Cactus Air Force. In just 57 days, they downed 83 enemy aircraft—including one flown by Japanese ace Junichi Sasai.

Later in the war, VMF-223 transitioned to the powerful F4U Corsair, the same aircraft that future pilots trained on right at NAS Wildwood. The squadron went on to fight in the Philippines and Okinawa, earning two Presidential Unit Citations along the way.

Now, decades later, the return of a Bulldog-flown aircraft to a base where Corsair pilots once trained is more than a coincidence—it’s a full-circle moment, connecting 80 years of Marine Corps aviation right here in South Jersey.

This historic Harrier will be on long-term loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, and will soon become a centerpiece of NAS Wildwood’s growing collection.

Whether you’re an aviation buff, military history fan, or just looking for a family-friendly day trip, this is your chance to get up close with a machine that made history in the skies—and is now finding a home at the Jersey Shore.

Stay tuned to the Wildwood Video Archive and NASW’s social media pages for exclusive footage of the Harrier’s arrival and installation.

And make sure you stop by there this summer. Check out their hours on their website.

The WVA team stopped by their Airfest back in 2023 and it was amazing! You can watch a recap of that event in the video below.