VP-31

Patrol Squadron 31
VP-31 Unit Insignia
Active	30 June 1960 - 1 November 1993
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	squadron
Role	training replacement aircrew and maintenance personnel for all Pacific fleet Maritime patrol squadrons
Part of	United States Navy
Garrison/HQ	Naval Air Station Moffett Field, Sunnyvale, California
Nickname(s)	Genies (1962–1971) Black Lightnings (1971–1993)
Decorations	Meritorious Unit Commendation
Aircraft flown
Patrol	P2V-5/SP-2E P2V-7/SP-2H P5M-2/SP-5B R5D-5/VC-54S R7V-1/C-121J UF-1/SHU-16B P-3A/B/C/TP-3A

VP-31, Patrol Squadron 31 was a maritime patrol squadron of the United States Navy. It was established on 30 June 1960 to train replacement aircrew and maintenance personnel. It was disestablished on 1 November 1993.

The only insignia for VP-31 was approved on 25 July 1962, and was selected to represent the Anti-surmarine warfare (ASW) training program used to educate patrol of FAW-14. The central figure of the design was a submarine at the focal point of four beams from on high. Above the submarine was a magic lamp from which issued a wisp of smoke. The lamp signified the squadron’s original nickname, the Genies. The design was circular, with a scroll at the bottom containing the designation Patrol Squadron Thirty One. Colors: outline of design, lamp and beams, silver and gold; lamp and submarine trim, red; central portion of beams, cream; background of design and submarine, deep blue. The squadron's nickname was Genies from 1962–1971 and Black Lightnings from 1971–1993.

The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:

The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons.