An AV-8B Harrier II with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron

An AV-8B Harrier II with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck to maintain the pilot's carrier landing qualifications as a part of the 31st MEU's Certification Exercise here, Aug. 7. The Harrier is a short take off and vertical landing-capable jet designed to operate from the short landing platform equipped on the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). CERTEX is a semi-annual event for the 31st MEU that ensures readiness in the entire spectrum of operations, from delivering humanitarian aid to limited scale combat operations. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps' force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Codey Underwood)