Sorry! But after checking Scramble´s Databases for these four so-called "Harrier BuNos", posted by Oscar01, I´m totally confused!
- 165591 is listed as AV-8B WL-01 of VMA-311, logged first/last feb08 with the comment ex WE-11/VMA-214.
- 165420 is listed as AV-8B(R) YP-52 of HMM-163, logged first/last oct07.
- 165563 is listed as AH-1W!!!
- 165584 is listed as AV-8B YW-56 of HMM-165, logged first/last may07.
Note: If USMC Harrier detachments are deployed with MEUs aboard USN Amphibious Assault Ships (LHA/LHD), they are integrated in the leading HMM (Reinforced). And so, the entries above are not showing the real squadron assignments of 165420 and 165584.
But at least in case of the first BuNo it could be really a land-based deployment of VMA-311 "Tomcats" (MAG-13, 3rd MAW), MCAS Yuma, Arizona (tailcode WL), to replace VMA-542 "Tigers" (MAG-14, 2nd MAW), MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina (tailcode WH), at Al Asad Airfield, Iraq. According to an USMC news from October 5, 2007, "VMA-311 is scheduled to deploy in the spring of 2008, which will mark the third time in two years the attack squadron has gone overseas in support of the Global War on Terrorism." Source:
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000. ... enDocument" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
On the other hand: Marines with VMA-211 "Avengers" (MAG-13, 3rd MAW), MCAS Yuma, Arizona (tailcode CF), began participating in Exercise Green Flag West at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., March 20. That´s a 16-day joint-service, pre-deployment training exercise. And so we can expect VMA-211 for an upcoming U.S. CENTCOM deployment, either land-based at Al Asad or Bagram or seabased on USN ships.
For VMA-211 in Exercise Green Flag West please check the latest news article on:
http://www.yuma.usmc.mil/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And see one of their their latest aircraft pictures (BuNo 165595):
http://www.3maw.usmc.mil/FamilyReadines ... ostings%20(I-II" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)/Wing%20R&R.jpg
