A undated handout photo made available by British Ministry of Defence showing four GR9 Harriers’, flying in formation over Britain. Nearest to the camera is a GR9 in the tail colours of 800 Navel Squadron, then 4 Squadron, 1 Squadron, the furthest GR9 is painted in the 1969 camouflage pattern. The Harrier jump jet will make its final operational flight on 15 December 2010, leaving from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland. The aircraft, one of Britain's greatest technical achievements was retired early after falling victim to defense cuts. In celebration of the aircraft, Harriers will pass over seven military bases, the town centers of Stamford and Oakham, and Lincoln Cathedral. The Harriers will be decommissioned in 2011 to be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter by the end of the decade. EPA/JAMIE HUNTER/HANDOUT Mandatory Credit: All use and/or reproductions shall be acknowledged thus: Photo: Photographers name/MOD (eg Photo: Cpl Joe Blogs/MoD), EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALESepa A undated handout photo made available by British Ministry of Defence showing four GR9 Harriers’, flying in formation over Britain. Nearest to the camera is a GR9 in the tail colours of 800 Navel Squadron, then 4 Squadron, 1 Squadron, the furthest GR9 is painted in the 1969 camouflage pattern. The Harrier jump jet will make its final operational flight on 15 December 2010, leaving from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland. The aircraft, one of Britain's greatest technical achievements was retired early after falling victim to defense cuts. In celebration of the aircraft, Harriers will pass over seven military bases, the town centers of Stamford and Oakham, and Lincoln Cathedral. The Harriers will be decommissioned in 2011 to be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter by the end of the decade. EPA/JAMIE HUNTER/HANDOUT
A undated handout photo made available by British Ministry of Defence showing four GR9 Harriers’, flying in formation over Britain. Nearest to the camera is a GR9 painted in the 1969 camouflage pattern, the next aircraft is painted with the tail colours of 1 Squadron, then 4 Squadron, and furthest from the camera, 800 Navel Squadron. The Harrier jump jet will make its final operational flight on 15 December 2010, leaving from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland. The aircraft, one of Britain's greatest technical achievements was retired early after falling victim to defense cuts. In celebration of the aircraft, Harriers will pass over seven military bases, the town centers of Stamford and Oakham, and Lincoln Cathedral. The Harriers will be decommissioned in 2011 to be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter by the end of the decade. EPA/JAMIE HUNTER/HANDOUT Mandatory Credit: All use and/or reproductions shall be acknowledged thus: Photo: Photographers name/MOD (eg Photo: Cpl Joe Blogs/MoD), EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALESepa A undated handout photo made available by British Ministry of Defence showing four GR9 Harriers’, flying in formation over Britain. Nearest to the camera is a GR9 painted in the 1969 camouflage pattern, the next aircraft is painted with the tail colours of 1 Squadron, then 4 Squadron, and furthest from the camera, 800 Navel Squadron. The Harrier jump jet will make its final operational flight on 15 December 2010, leaving from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland. The aircraft, one of Britain's greatest technical achievements was retired early after falling victim to defense cuts. In celebration of the aircraft, Harriers will pass over seven military bases, the town centers of Stamford and Oakham, and Lincoln Cathedral. The Harriers will be decommissioned in 2011 to be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter by the end of the decade. EPA/JAMIE HUNTER/HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by British Ministry of Defence showing a parade marking the decomissioning of GR9 Harrier fighter planes after their last flight, at RAF Cottesmore, Britain, 15 December 2010. The Harrier jump jet made its final operational flight on 15 December 2010, leaving from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland. The aircraft, one of Britain's greatest technical achievements was retired early after falling victim to defense cuts. In celebration of the aircraft, Harriers will pass over seven military bases, the town centers of Stamford and Oakham, and Lincoln Cathedral. The Harriers will be decommissioned in 2011 to be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter by the end of the decade. EPA/CORPORAL FRANCINE ROSE MCKAY ABI/
A handout photo made available by British Ministry of Defence showing a parade of pilots marking the decomissioning of GR9 Harrier fighter planes after their last flight, at RAF Cottesmore, Britain, 15 December 2010. The Harrier jump jet made its final operational flight on 15 December 2010, leaving from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland. The aircraft, one of Britain's greatest technical achievements was retired early after falling victim to defense cuts. In celebration of the aircraft, Harriers will pass over seven military bases, the town centers of Stamford and Oakham, and Lincoln Cathedral. The Harriers will be decommissioned in 2011 to be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter by the end of the decade. EPA/CORPORAL FRANCINE ROSE MCKAY ABI/
A undated handout photo made available by British Ministry of Defence showing 16 GR9 Harriers’, flying in formation over Britain. The Harrier jump jet will make its final operational flight on 15 December 2010, leaving from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland. The aircraft, one of Britain's greatest technical achievements was retired early after falling victim to defense cuts. In celebration of the aircraft, Harriers will pass over seven military bases, the town centers of Stamford and Oakham, and Lincoln Cathedral. The Harriers will be decommissioned in 2011 to be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter by the end of the decade. EPA/JAMIE HUNTER/HANDOUT
A undated handout photo made available by British Ministry of Defence showing four GR9 Harriers’, flying in formation over RAF Scampton, Britain. The Harrier jump jet will make its final operational flight on 15 December 2010, leaving from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland. The aircraft, one of Britain's greatest technical achievements was retired early after falling victim to defense cuts. In celebration of the aircraft, Harriers will pass over seven military bases, the town centers of Stamford and Oakham, and Lincoln Cathedral. The Harriers will be decommissioned in 2011 to be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter by the end of the decade. EPA/SAC Rob Travis/HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by British Ministry of Defence showing a parade marking the decomissioning of GR9 Harrier fighter planes after their last flight, at RAF Cottesmore, Britain, 15 December 2010. The Harrier jump jet made its final operational flight on 15 December 2010, leaving from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland. The aircraft, one of Britain's greatest technical achievements was retired early after falling victim to defense cuts. In celebration of the aircraft, Harriers will pass over seven military bases, the town centers of Stamford and Oakham, and Lincoln Cathedral. The Harriers will be decommissioned in 2011 to be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter by the end of the decade. EPA/LUIS HOLDEN/HANDOUT
