AV-8B Harrier jet arrival draws crowd to Tillamook
Chelsea Yarnell • August 7, 2025
Cars parked in just about every available spot surrounding the Tillamook Airport on Aug. 4. Peoples’ eyes scanned the sky for a much anticipated site: the arrival of a combat-tested AV-8B Harrier II.
Most heard it before they saw it. The Harrier arrived under its own power: a rare moment that allowed the public a unique opportunity to witness military aviation history in motion. The jet’s capabilities were demonstrated to the gathered crowds: a tour through the skies of Tillamook County, takeoff and landing, and (most impressive) a hover maneuver.
The Harrier will become a part of the Tillamook Air Museum’s collection as a long-term loan by the National Naval Aviation Museum.
“This aircraft represents an extraordinary chapter in modern military aviation,” said Christian Gurling, Museum Curator. “We are proud to accept this historic piece of Marine Corps history. Acquisitions such as this are fast positioning the Tillamook Air Museum as a world-class destination for aviation heritage, as we continue to broaden and enhance the scope of our exhibits. We look forward to interpreting its legacy for the public in a way that honors its service and the people who flew it.”
Originally delivered to the United States Marine Corps on March 30, 1995, the Harrier has logged 5,518 total flight hours, including 631 combat hours flown across 88 missions, and completed 5,457 landings. It saw combat in multiple theaters over a 30 year career, including missions during Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, where it flew from both USS Boxer and forward air bases such as Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. It also supported humanitarian and combat operations from the USS Peleliu, USS Nassau, and USS America, including roles in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, and the Arabian Gulf. In one deployment, its unit provided aerial support following the collision of the USS John S. McCain near Singapore.
“We are honored to welcome this distinguished aircraft to Tillamook,” said Rita Welch, Museum Director of the Tillamook Air Museum. “The arrival of a combat-tested Harrier flown directly from China Lake is a momentous occasion and one of the most significant acquisitions in the museum’s history. This aircraft greatly enhances our collection and strengthens our ability to educate the public about military aviation.”
Spike served as a Private for most of his military career. He was a member of a Marine Detachment at Naval Air Station Tillamook during World War II. His job: improve morale amongst other service members. It was a role that probably came naturally…considering he was an English bulldog. Learn more about Spike and other animals with local military connections at the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum’s (TCPM) newest exhibit: “Loyal Service: Working Animals at War and Home.” This is the first installation of “The Searchlight,” a rotating exhibition series dedicated to showcasing the stories of military personnel, operations, and conflicts that have shaped our local community. “The Museum wants to highlight Tillamook County’s military history,” said TCPM Executive Director Peyton Tracy. “We hope to better preserve the legacy of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and their communities, whose stories are inextricably woven into the fabric of local history.” The new exhibit showcases the stories of local veterans who worked with animals during active combat and after returning home. From Civil War cavalrymen and Vietnam War Point Men, to the Oregon National Guard practicing skirmish lines on horseback at Camp West Tillamook, to a World War I veteran advocating for guide dog training programs. It also shares stories about the beloved mascot animals from Tillamook’s Naval Air Station during World War II. Like Spike who served at the base until his death in 1943. He was posthumously awarded the rank of Sergeant and buried at the Naval Air Station with full military honors. And Zippy, most likely a golden retriever breed, who was the unofficial mascot for the Naval Air Station Tillamook’s Blimp Squadron. “‘The Searchlight’ is a rotating series located in an updated room separate from the original military exhibit,” shared Exhibit and Program Developer Jenny Teece. “The Museum has had many conversations, internally and with our community partners, about how we utilize the historic 1905 Tillamook County Courthouse’s space to interact with and engage our visitors. The need for a community space to host meetings, presentations, and educational programming has been a prominent topic in those discussions.” The original military exhibit is robustly researched and expansive, however only a quarter of the artifacts on display have any relation to Tillamook County’s residents or their involvement in military history. “The main goal of ‘The Searchlight,’ and this first exhibit, is to engage our local community with memories and stories they can see themselves, their friends, and family members in,” Teece said. “Moving and curating the military exhibit opens a space for a community room to fulfill that need, and allows us to provide more opportunities for visitors.” Another goal of rotating exhibits at TCPM is to preserve the items on display. “We want to take care of artifacts so families and friends can come see them another 90 years from now,” said Collections Manager Clara Scillian Kennedy. “The Museum has the honor to preserve so much military history, starting with the Civil War all the way up to modern conflicts of the 1990s. We hope the community continues to entrust us with their memories so we can share them with generations to come.” The “Loyal Service: Working Animals at War and Home” exhibit opened June 14 and is expected to be on display for a year. About the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum Founded in 1935 by Tillamook Oregon pioneers, the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum offers 19 display areas that focus on the history of the North Oregon Coast. The museum’s mission is to preserve and interpret the Cultural Heritage of the North Oregon Coast and to foster appreciation and respect of the North Oregon Coast's environment. The current collection includes 55,000 items and 20,000 photographs ranging from prehistoric specimens to modern-day. The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm. The research library can be used by the public by appointment only.
Join Friends of Netarts Bay, Watershed, Estuary, Beach and Sea (WEBS) and celebrate Huehca Omeyocan’s ninth year at Cape Lookout State Park on August 3. Huehca Omeyocan will be sharing art, culture, music, and dance in a vibrant, colorful, generous, and transcendental way to strengthen the connection with nature and bring communities together during this inspiring celebration. Huehca Omeyocan will be joined by Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS, Oregon State Parks, OSU Extension, the Juntos Afuera Program, and Oregon Shores for an inspiring day with opportunities to explore, learn, celebrate, and act for the ocean. Huehca Omeyocan was founded in McMinnville Oregon in 2016 by artist, drummer, performer, and cultural promoter Eduardo Cruz Torres Amictlan and his wife and main dancer of the group Maria Elena Cortes Duran Malinalmiquiz. Maria started dancing when she was only 12 years old, and it has been a part of her life ever since. The Mexica-Chichimeca or Aztec dance and music connect the natural world, human body, and spirit with everything that exists. It is a cosmic integration — a prayer in motion that delights the senses. Led by Maria Elena Cortes Duran, dancers’ regalia vibrantly display colorful ancestral symbols and vivid feathers. At the Huehuetl drum, Eduardo Cruz Torres sets the rhythm for the flight of ceramic flutes, ocarinas, and wind whistles, while traditional Nahuatl rattles, stones, seeds, and bones stir the atmosphere of each performance. The movements and sounds of these spirited presentations mirror the energy that joins each of us with each other and the entire cosmos. With joyful generosity, Huehca Omeyocan aims to inspire this transcendent connectivity in every community they touch. Enjoy the ceremony and various other educational and service activities on August 3 starting at 11 a.m. This is a full day event and often stretches beyond the advertised end time for the celebration. Bring a chair, a picnic, and enjoy the day at the coast! Registration is highly suggested. Learn more and register for this event at: https://www.netartsbaywebs.org/even ts
Join Friends of Netarts Bay – Watershed, Estuary, Beach, and Sea (WEBS) on August 5 for a FREE event including a presentation and guided tour along the salt marsh at the southern end of Netarts Bay. While exploring in this unique habitat, participants can learn about the plants and animals, and the importance of this environment from the forest to the water's edge. Discover how plants survive in a salty world and explore vegetation succession from the bay to the dunes. This program includes two parts: Starting with an indoor presentation at 9 a.m. A review about salt marsh habitats and give an overview of the common plants found in these areas and how they are adapted to survive in these salty locations. After the presentation, participants will drive to the first location for the start of a walking tour with biologist and past WEBS board member Jim Young. This field-based walking tour includes an easy to moderate 1.5 to 3-mile hike through muddy, wet sand, and loose sand areas. Trails may be covered by brush. This program is best suited for participants 12 years and older who are comfortable walking in these environments.
The 66th Annual Dory Days celebration drew crowds from across the region for a weekend filled with heritage, music, fresh seafood, and community spirit. Hosted in the heart of Pacific City, this Oregon Heritage-designated event once again honored the historic dory fishing fleet while providing fun for all ages. Thanks to the hard work of 65 volunteers and the support of 24 generous sponsors who contributed nearly $12,000, this year’s Dory Days was one of the most successful yet. Festivities began Friday when crowd-favorite Countryfied took the stage for an evening concert that welcomed 120 attendees at the Kiawanda Community Center, kicking off the weekend with dancing and live music. Early the next morning, a huge crowd arrived at the traditional Pancake Breakfast, hosted by the Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District, which sold out over 200 meals and raised approximately $2,500 to support local emergency services.
Calling all bay admirers and clam lovers! Would you like to learn more about the different types of clams in Netarts Bay? Are you new to clamming and looking for some tips? Do you love to clam but rather not go alone? Join Friends of Netarts Bay, Estuary, Beach and Sea - WEBS, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Monday, August 11 for an informative day on the bay, learning about sustainable shellfish harvesting. “Participants will walk away with their catch limit of clams and a whole lot of knowledge on bay clam populations, estuarine habitat, and sustainable harvesting” shared WEBS Stewardship Coordinator Marina Dreeben. Both new and experienced clammers will have a chance to learn alongside ODFW and WEBS staff/volunteers. Space is limited. A shellfish license is required. Registration is required for this free event. Learn more at: https://www.netartsbaywebs.org/events
Ready your spellbooks and sharpen your wits, Fantasy Trivia Night with CARE Inc. is coming to Werner’s Beef and Brew this Thursday, July 24th from 5–7 pm. Whether you're a seasoned dragon-slayer or just love a good hobbit joke, this night promises enchanted questions , mythical fun , and delicious food . And here’s the real magic: proceeds from all food and beverage sales will be donated to CARE Inc , supporting a great cause in our community. Test your knowledge of fantasy creatures, spellbooks, and legendary lore Enjoy a hearty meal and refreshing brews Support CARE Inc just by dining Costumes welcome (but not required)—bring your inner elf, wizard, or rogue! Even if trivia isn’t your quest, come for dinner and help make a difference. Eat, drink, and be magical! RSVP not required—just show up and join the fellowship!
It started with a note. “We loved the hopscotch. Can we get a new course? [From] your friendly trash guys.” Shelly Wagner posted a picture of the note in a Tillamook community Facebook page. Since then, she’s made it a tradition for her weekly trash pickup from City Sanitary Service .
TAPA is holding auditions for the upcoming murder mystery dinner theater production “Murder at the Prom” on Saturday July 26 at 1:00 pm, held at the Barn Community Playhouse. This interactive whodunit combines teen drama with a twist of deadly suspense, all wrapped in a night of prom pageantry gone terribly wrong and promises suspense, laughs, and plenty of hairspray. This production is seeking a cast of six actors: four females and two males, ranging in age from 18-?. Actors of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to audition. Despite the production taking place in a high school, the script encourages adults in the cast as it adds to the comedic effect. The murder mystery dinner will be held October 18 th at Pacific Restaurant. Come join the fun and help bring this thrilling prom night mystery to life! A cast list and script sample are available here. For questions email the director at LisaMWhitman@gmail.com .
The Tillamook Air Museum is proud to announce the upcoming arrival of a combat-tested AV-8B Harrier II, a major addition to the Museum’s growing collection of historically significant aircraft. The aircraft will be flown directly to Tillamook from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, a major U.S. Navy research, development, and test facility located in California’s Mojave Desert. The Harrier’s arrival under its own power will be a rare and historic moment for the region, offering the public a unique opportunity to witness military aviation history in motion. In addition to the Harrier, a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster lll will also be flying into Tillamook, transporting the demilitarization crew responsible for preparing the aircraft for public display. The Museum currently anticipates the Harrier and C-17 will a rrive on 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟰𝘁𝗵, weath er and operational schedules permitting. The public is encouraged to follow Tillamook Air Musuem's social media for the latest updates as the date approaches. After arrival, the aircraft will be demilitarized and prepared for permanent exhibition. It is being provided on long-term loan by the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. “This aircraft represents an extraordinary chapter in modern military aviation,” said Christian Gurling, Museum Curator. “We are proud to accept this historic piece of Marine Corps history. Acquisitions such as this are fast positioning the Tillamook Air Museum as a world-class destination for aviation heritage, as we continue to broaden and enhance the scope of our exhibits. We look forward to interpreting its legacy for the public in a way that honors its service and the people who flew it.” Originally delivered to the United States Marine Corps on March 30, 1995, the Harrier has logged 5,518 total flight hours, including 631 combat hours flown across 88 missions, and completed 5,457 landings. It saw combat in multiple theaters over a 30 year career, including missions during Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, where it flew from both USS Boxer and forward air bases such as Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. It also supported humanitarian and combat operations from the USS Peleliu, USS Nassau, and USS America, including roles in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, and the Arabian Gulf. In one deployment, its unit provided aerial support following the collision of the USS John S. McCain near Singapore. This particular aircraft is a production radar model, built as a Harrier II+, meaning it was originally designed for frontline service with enhanced capabilities. In addition to its fleet combat role, it concluded its career with VX-31 at China Lake, where it served as a test platform supporting developmental and evaluation programs. “We are honored to welcome this distinguished aircraft to Tillamook,” said Rita Welch, Museum Director of the Tillamook Air Museum. “The arrival of a combat-tested Harrier flown directly from China Lake is a momentous occasion and one of the most significant acquisitions in the museum’s history. This aircraft greatly enhances our collection and strengthens our ability to educate the public about military aviation. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Bonnie Towne at the National Naval Aviation Museum for her dedication and hard work in facilitating this loan. Her efforts were critical in making this historic transfer possible. We are honored to care for this remarkable piece of history and look forward to sharing its story with our visitors.” The Museum also extends its sincere thanks to Pablo “Louie” Sanchez, AV-8B Assistant Program Manager for Logistics (APML), who is leading the AV-8B Museum Task Force. His expertise and outstanding coordination have been essential in arranging the upcoming transfer of the Harrier to Tillamook. The Museum also gratefully acknowledges the efforts of his entire team, whose collective support has been vital in bringing this significant addition to the museum’s collection closer to reality. A special thanks to Visit Tillamook Coast for helping to assist in securing lodging for the Harrier’s demilitarization crew, and Tillamook Inn and Suites for hosting them while they are in Tillamook.
