2014 War Against the Islamic State

AV-8B Harrier II in the 2014 War Against the Islamic State

U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier IIs were used in Operation Inherent Resolve for strikes, close air support, and armed reconnaissance against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

Weapon profileAV-8B Harrier II
SideAnti-ISIS coalition and partner forcesRoleFire Support
AV-8B Harrier II, V/STOL light attack and close-air-support aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - 2014 War Against the Islamic State
Image source: Wikimedia Commons AV-8B Harrier II image

Evidence Map

ClaimSources
VMA-211 AV-8B Harriers were used against ISIL in Iraq and Syria from October 2014 to March 2015.

Sources: VMFA-211 Squadron History

A VMA-211 AV-8B was documented preparing for a January 17, 2015 flight in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Sources: DVIDS VMA-211 OIR Flight

A 22nd MEU AV-8B Harrier was reported striking an Islamic State target near Haditha Dam in September 2014.

Sources: Marine Corps Times Haditha Dam

Marine Corps Harriers were used for multiple 22nd MEU bomb-dropping airstrikes during the 2014 deployment, according to Marine Corps Times reporting from a commander briefing.

Sources: Marine Corps Times 22nd MEU Strikes

USMC AV-8B Harriers formed part of the wider OIR airpower mix around Mosul.

Sources: RAND Air War Against ISIS

Timeline

AV-8B Harrier II In 2014 War Against the Islamic State

  1. VMA-211 detachment deploys aboard USS Makin Island

    VMA-211 Detachment Alpha deployed aboard USS Makin Island before the squadron's Operation Inherent Resolve combat operations.

    Sources: VMFA-211 Squadron History

  2. Reported 22nd MEU Harrier strike near Haditha Dam

    Marine Corps Times reported that a 22nd MEU AV-8B Harrier from USS Bataan struck an Islamic State target near Haditha Dam in Iraq.

    Sources: Marine Corps Times Haditha Dam

  3. VMA-211 Harrier combat operations begin

    VMA-211 Harriers aboard USS Makin Island and at forward-deployed sites began combat operations against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

    Sources: VMFA-211 Squadron History

  4. VMA-211 AV-8B documented on OIR flight line

    DVIDS documented a VMA-211 pilot and plane captain preparing an AV-8B Harrier for a flight in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

    Sources: DVIDS VMA-211 OIR Flight

  5. VMA-211 returns from final Harrier combat deployment

    After returning in March 2015, VMA-211 began moving toward its transition from the AV-8B Harrier to the F-35B Lightning II.

    Sources: VMFA-211 Squadron History

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

The U.S. Marine Corps' official VMFA-211 squadron history documents VMA-211 AV-8B Harriers operating from USS Makin Island and forward-deployed locations in combat operations against ISIL in Iraq and Syria from October 2014 to March 2015. The same history states that this final AV-8B combat deployment for VMA-211 included more than 650 combat missions, 4,500 combat hours, and more than 91,000 pounds of ordnance employed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

A Defense Visual Information Distribution Service image from January 17, 2015 separately identifies a VMA-211 AV-8B Harrier preparing for a flight in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The caption describes the Harrier role set as coordinated strikes, close air support, and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Sources: VMFA-211 Squadron History, DVIDS VMA-211 OIR Flight

Timeline

AV-8B use in the campaign began as a ship-based Marine expeditionary air component. Marine Corps Times reported that a 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Harrier from USS Bataan struck an Islamic State target near Haditha Dam in Iraq in September 2014, while other Harrier sorties from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group provided armed non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

VMA-211's main documented AV-8B deployment followed shortly afterward. Its detachment deployed aboard USS Makin Island in July 2014, the main element deployed in September 2014 with SPMAGTF-CC-CR 15.1, and VMA-211 Harriers then conducted Iraq and Syria combat operations from October 2014 until the squadron's March 2015 return.

Sources: Marine Corps Times Haditha Dam, Marine Corps Times 22nd MEU Strikes, VMFA-211 Squadron History

Operational role

Within the anti-ISIS coalition air campaign, the AV-8B functioned as a Marine expeditionary strike and fire-support aircraft rather than as a transferred partner system. Its documented missions combined armed reconnaissance, close air support, and strike sorties from amphibious shipping and forward-deployed positions.

RAND's study of the air war against the Islamic State places U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers among the aircraft used around Mosul alongside B-52 bombers, F-15E fighters, F-22 fighters, AH-64 Apaches, and ISR aircraft. That broader account frames coalition airpower as a primary U.S. and coalition contribution to the partner-led campaign against ISIS territorial control.

Sources: DVIDS VMA-211 OIR Flight, RAND Air War Against ISIS

Images

Conflict Context

VMA-211 AV-8B Harrier preparing for an Operation Inherent Resolve flight on January 17, 2015
A VMA-211 AV-8B Harrier before a flight in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, January 17, 2015.

Sources: DVIDS VMA-211 OIR Flight

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Sources