VMFA(AW)-533

Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533
VMFA(AW)-533 Insignia courtesy of www.military-graphics.com
Active	October 1, 1943 - present
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	All WeatherFighter/Attack
Role	Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance
Part of	Marine Aircraft Group 31 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Nickname(s)	Hawks Black Mac's Killers (WWII) Crystal Gazers (WWII)
Motto(s)	"In Hoc Signo Vinces" {In this sign you will conquer}
Tail Code	ED
Engagements	World War II * Battle of Okinawa Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Commanding Officer	LtCol. M. A. Brown
Executive Officer	Maj. J. C. Ashmore
Sergeant Major	SgtMaj. J. R. Vancil
Aircraft flown
Attack	A-4 Skyhawk A-6 Intruder
Fighter	F6F-5N Hellcat F7F-3N Tigercat F2H-4 Banshee F9F Cougar F/A-18D Hornet

Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 (VMFA(AW)-533) is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Also known as the "Hawks", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW).

To conduct joint / combined aviation operations in order to support a Marine Air Ground Task Force commander's Command and Control, intelligence, fires, maneuver, and force protection warfighting functions.

On October 1, 1943, Marine Night Fighter Squadron 533 (VMF(N)-533) was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Originally known as "Black Mac's Killers", after their first commanding officer Major Marion M. Magruder, they were one of three night fighter squadrons to be activated in the Marine Corps and were outfitted with the Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat, equipped with the APS-6 radar. The squadron left for the West Coast in early April and on April 16, they embarked on board the USS Long Island (CVE-1) headed for the South Pacific. In May 1944, the squadron conducted their final training on the F6F aboard Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii and then headed for Eniwetok. On June 12 they relieved VMF(N)-532 and assumed night defense responsibilities for the area. On November 30 they moved to Engebi and continued operations.