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Description
Taken during a visit to Yeovilton in March 2006 just a few weeks before the shutting down of the final Fleet Air Arm Sea Harrier Sqn, 801. The decision to axe the Navy Sea Harrier fleet early in 2006 remains one of the most stupid decisions in UK defence, even a decade later. The aircraft was unique, flown by superbly trained and motivated crews who routinely beat the best that NATO and the US could throw at them, were equally capable in the air-to-ground role without advanced guided munitions (and had bested dedicated strike aircraft with free-fall weapons frequently, including one of the final exercises they took part in prior to the axe). Many of the surviving airframes were also relatively new, compared to other fast jets in the UK inventory. Unfortunately the weather during the visit was terrible.

Description
Taken during a visit to Yeovilton in March 2006 just a few weeks before the shutting down of the final Fleet Air Arm Sea Harrier Sqn, 801. The decision to axe the Navy Sea Harrier fleet early in 2006 remains one of the most stupid decisions in UK defence, even a decade later. The aircraft was unique, flown by superbly trained and motivated crews who routinely beat the best that NATO and the US could throw at them, were equally capable in the air-to-ground role without advanced guided munitions (and had bested dedicated strike aircraft with free-fall weapons frequently, including one of the final exercises they took part in prior to the axe). Many of the surviving airframes were also relatively new, compared to other fast jets in the UK inventory. Unfortunately the weather during the visit was terrible.