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2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s #LetterOfTheDay in our weekly series #AviationAcademics is “H” for “Harrier.” -------------------------------------------- “H” is for Harrier – The AV-8B Harrier is a fighter jet used by the U.S. Marine Corps. The harrier is extremely expeditionary because of its vertical takeoff and landing capability. The aircraft is able to take off and land from airfields and also from naval aircraft carriers, making it operational anywhere in the world. The harrier is capable of air-to-air, air-to-surface and close air support. 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing has four harrier squadrons. Marine Attack Training Squadron 203, Marine Attack Squadron 223, VMA-231 and VMA-542 (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Justin Roux/ Released)

Capt. Michael Wehner discusses what it’s like to be an AV-8B Harrier II pilot at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 8, 2017. Harrier pilots conduct offensive and defensive anti-air warfare, including combat air patrol; armed escort missions; and offensive missions against enemy ground-to-air defenses. Wehner is assigned to Marine Attack Training Squadron 203, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Justin Roux/ Released)

Lt. Gen. Jon Davis flies an AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 30, 2017. Davis completed Harrier pilot training in October 1982 while assigned to VMAT-203, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. In 1998, Davis returned to MCAS Cherry Point where he was the commanding officer of VMA-223, MAG-14, 2nd MAW. From 2010 to 2012, he was the commanding general of 2nd MAW. Currently, Davis is the deputy commandant for aviation. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/ Released)

Maj. Gen. John Love, 2nd Marine Division commanding general, visits Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Jan. 27, 2017. Love strapped into one of the squadron’s AV-8B Harriers for the first time in his career. Love’s visit helped strengthen the relationship between the ground and air combat elements while showcasing the capabilities of the aircraft firsthand. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Cody Lemons/Released)

Training pilots with Marine Attack Training Squadron 203, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducted practice landings and take-offs at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C., Jan. 18, 2017. As the only site on the East Coast that offers Marine Corps pilots field carrier landing practice, the airfield is essential to improving expeditionary mission readiness by training pilots to land on aircraft carriers. The airfield consists of runways constructed from aluminum panels, which can be disassembled and reconstructed anywhere in the world to meet the needs of the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/ Released)