Tech & Auto
Why The RAF Retired The Legendary Harrier II Jet
By ELI SHAYOTOVICH
The renowned Harrier II fighter jet has been an iconic part of the U.K.'s Royal Air Force and has taken part in many operations since it entered service on April 1, 1969.
However, Prime Minister David Cameron announced on October 19, 2010, that the entire Harrier Force would be cut and removed from service by March 2011.
This decision was part of the Ministry of Defence's Strategic Defence and Security Review, an in-depth appraisal of Britain's national security and defense needs.
The 2010 SDSR came at the wrong time. The U.K. was emerging from the 2007–08 economic crisis, which led politicians to examine defense spending very carefully.
A goodbye event was put together by U.K. Air Vice Marshal Gary Waterfall that saw the legendary jet take to the skies for a final time.