Havelock commissioners defer decision on AV-8B Harrier, request decade of maintenance costs

Havelock’s Board of Commissioners on July 27 postponed making a final decision on whether to accept and restore an AV-8B Harrier (BuNo 165427), directing staff to return with detailed financial information at the Aug. 10 workshop. Staff presented three restoration options from Fleet Readiness Center East: Clean and Clear Coat ($120,628); Touch-Up and Clear Coat ($141,610); Full Repaint ($205,706). Staff also noted available TAV-8B project savings of approximately $36,000–$40,000 that could be applied to the work.

The discussion included considerations of tourism and educational value tied to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and community concerns about cost. Commissioner Mark Larkin, who read a prepared statement during the meeting, said he had polled about "10 or 12" residents and reported broad opposition; he concluded: "Therefore my intention is to vote no on this process." Board members were unwilling to finalize acceptance of the aircraft without more financial detail and asked staff to provide the past 10 years of maintenance and restoration costs for each aircraft on display, repainting schedules, projected long-term maintenance expenses, and options for relocating or relinquishing existing aircraft. The board also discussed relinquishing the City’s A-6E Intruder near the Hampton Inn and noted the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) has indicated it will identify an alternate borrower rather than return the aircraft to Pensacola, which may reduce relocation costs.