Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 (VMAT-203) known as the "Hawks" is home to the Marine Corps only Harrier training squadron, with almost 40 McDonnell Douglas AV-8B and TAV-8B Harrier II aircraft.

During the autumn and winter months VMAT-203 detach 10-15 aircraft from their home base of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point North Carolina to the warmer climate of Arizona where the student Harrier pilots train daily on the MCAS Yuma ranges.

On an early mild winters morning in February, the small team of media photographers were allowed to get up close on the ramp with the Harriers of VMAT-203.

Author/photography Mark Forest