VMFA-531

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 531
VMFA-531 Insignia
Active	November 16, 1942 – March 27, 1992
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Fighter/Attack
Role	Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	“Grey Ghosts”
Tail Code	EC
Engagements	World War II Vietnam War
Commanders
Notable commanders	LtCol John F. Goodman LtCol Keith Stalder
Aircraft flown
Bomber	Lockheed PV-1 Ventura Douglas SBD Dauntless Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
Fighter	Grumman F7F Tigercat Douglas F3D Skynight Douglas F4D Skyray McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
Trainer	North American SNJ Brewster SB2A Buccaneer

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 531 (VMFA-531) was a United States Marine Corps fighter squadron consisting of F/A-18 Hornets . Known as the "Grey Ghosts”, the squadron participated in action during World War II and the Vietnam War. They were decommissioned on March 27, 1992.

Marine Night Fighter Squadron 531 (VMF(N)-531) was activated on November 16, 1942 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. On January 9, 1943 the squadron became part of the Fleet Marine Force and on April 1 was absorbed by Marine Aircraft Group 53 (MAG-53). The squadron took delivery of its first non-trainer aircraft, the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura on February 15. Due to the uniqueness of their night fight mission, VMF(N)-531 was placed under the direction of the Commandant of the Marine Corps until it was ready to deploy to combat.

Responding to Japanese night attacks on Guadalcanal, MAG-53 was reassigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing on April 15, 1943 and was quickly ordered to deploy to the South Pacific as soon as possible. VMF(N)-531 was the first combat squadron to leave MCAS Cherry Point. After layovers in Hawaii and Espiritu Santo, the squadron finally arrived at Renard Field on Banika in the Russell Islands on September 11. Joining Marine Aircraft Group 21, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, the Grey Ghosts flew their first combat patrol on September 16 making them the first naval aviation night-fighter squadron to operate in the South Pacific. The squadron's first kill was made by Captain Duane Jenkins, who stumbled upon a Betty Bomber on the evening of November 13, 1943.