Behind the Wings ®
The Podcast – S7, Episode 64
Retired AV-8B Pilots Capt. Frank “Pugs” Smith and Lt. Col. Luke “Warren” Jacobs take us behind the iconic Jump Jet and its 40-year legacy.
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We are back with our regularly scheduled podcast! In this episode, they discuss carrier operations, vertical takeoff and landing, the challenges of maintaining the aircraft, and how the fighter performed its missions. The Harrier remains one of aviation’s boldest experiments, paving the way for newer V/STOL aircraft like the F-35B. This one is going to be cool!
Key Takeaways:
- Both Frank and Luke cover different Harrier eras, representing the instinct-driven early years to the modern age of advanced sensors and integrated operations.
- While the jet’s ability to hover was revolutionary, Marine aviators found its short takeoff and landing capabilities far more practical in combat.
- From Desert Storm to Afghanistan, the Harrier’s avionics, engine control, and tactics made it a defining aircraft for close-support missions in the Marine Corps.
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