Marine Aircraft Group 31
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| Marine Aircraft Group 31 | |
|---|---|
 MAG-31 Insignia |
|
| Active | February, 1943 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Fixed Wing Aircraft Group |
| Role | Close air support Air interdiction |
| Part of | 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing II Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort |
| Motto | "Going the Distance... Going for Speed!" |
| Battles/wars | World War II * Battle of Okinawa Operation Desert Storm Operation Deny Flight Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
Marine Aircraft Group 31 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina that is currently composed of four F/A-18C squadrons, three F/A-18D squadrons and a maintenance and logistics squadron.
Contents |
[edit] Mission
Provide air support to Marine Air Ground Task Force commanders.
[edit] Subordinate units
F/A-18 Hornet Squadrons
- VMFA-115
- VMFA-122
- VMFA-251
- VMFA-312
- VMFA(AW)-224
- VMFA(AW)-332 (deactivated during transition to the JSF)
- VMFA(AW)-533
Maintenance Squadron
[edit] History
Marine Aircraft Group 31 was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on February 1, 1943. From October 1943 until October 12, 1945, MAG-31 operated throughout the Pacific Theater and played an integral part in the Battle of Okinawa.
Subsequent to the seizure of Okinawa, MAG-31's squadrons continued their part in the war conducting operations from Yantan Airfield on Okinawa. While on Okinawa, MAG-31 was commanded by Col John C. Munn, who was later promoted to Lieutenant General and served as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.
On October 12, 1945, Marine Aircraft Group 31 departed Okinawa for Yokosuka, Japan ,becoming the first Marine land-based MAG to operate in the Japanese homeland. The MAG was transferred from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing to the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing on February 12, 1946, and then to the Fleet Marine Force Pacific March 13, 1946.
The group returned to the United States July 5, 1946, and was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California until it was decommissioned May 31, 1947.
MAG-31 was reactivated March 17, 1952, at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, and transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Miami, Florida, operating as a part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing until it was again decommissioned in 1958.
On November 1, 1961, the group was again reactivated and stationed at its present home, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, as part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
[edit] See also
- List of United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
- List of United States Marine Corps aircraft groups
