To my British readers, as an American I always thought the Harriers were the coolest jets and I always wanted our country to have an American version.
These budget cuts are a tough thing if these wonderful flyers are lost in the process.
The Sun reports that Britain waved farewell to the "world-beating" Harrier yesterday as the much-prized Jump Jets launched from HMS Ark Royal for their final journey.
The Sun joined the aircraft carrier's crew of 680 to watch as the fixed-wing fighters flew off over the North Sea one by one and into history.
The Harriers, widely seen as integral to winning the Falklands War, were bound for RAF Cottesmore in Rutland for decommissioning.
With no jets to launch, 22,000-ton HMS Ark Royal will also be scrapped before Christmas.
It means Britain cannot now launch fast jet attacks from sea until 2020 when the new class of carriers enters service.
Before take-off yesterday, pilot Lieutenant Commander James Blackmore, 35, told The Sun: "This is a sad day for all of us.
"It was a shock when we found out the Harriers were to go. It's a superb aircraft to fly."
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