Marine Aircraft Group 31
| Marine Aircraft Group 31 | |
|---|---|
MAG-31 Insignia
|
|
| Active | 1 February 1943 – present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Fixed Wing Aircraft Group |
| Role |
Offensive Air Support Antiair Warfare Aerial Reconnaissance |
| Part of |
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing II Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort |
| Motto(s) | "Going the Distance... Going for Speed!" |
| Engagements |
World War II * Battle of Okinawa Operation Desert Storm Operation Deny Flight Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Executive Officer | LtCol. Michael P. Shand |
| Colonel of the Regiment |
SgtMaj. Paul T. Davis |
Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) is a United States Marine Corps aviation group based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina that is currently composed of three F/A-18C squadrons, one F/A-18A++ squadron, two F/A-18D squadrons, one F-35B training squadron, an aviation logistics squadron, and a wing support squadron. It falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Provide air support to Marine Air Ground Task Force commanders.
F/A-18 Hornet Squadrons
F-35B Lightning II Training Squadron
Aviation Logistics Squadron
Wing Support Squadron
Marine Aircraft Group 31 was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on 1 February 1943. In September 1943, MAG-31 left the United States for Samoa where its squadrons would be stationed at numerous Samoan bases. During much of 1944 the squadron would fly neutralization missions against many of the Japanese garrisons that had been by-passed in the Marshall Islands such as Rabaul.
During the Battle of Okinawa, MAG-31 came ashore on 7 April and began operating from Yontan Airfield on Okinawa. They were immediately able to put 80 out of 109 aircraft into the fight and maintained a combat air patrol from 1750 until dark to aid in the fight against the kamikaze attacks that were devastating the American Fleet. During the battle they also provided close air support for the Marines and Soldiers on the ground. While on Okinawa, MAG-31 was commanded by Colonel John C. Munn, who was later promoted to Lieutenant General and served as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. The squadron stayed at Yontan Airfield until 1 July when they moved to Chimu Airfield further north on the island where they would stay until the end of the war. During their time on Okinawa the squadron also operated over Kyushu, the Chinese Coast, the East China Sea area and many places in between Formosa and Kyushu.
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Wikipedia