VFA-31

VFA-31
United States Navy, vectorized by Nicholas Johnson · Public domain · source
Unit name	Strike Fighter Squadron 31
Native name	VFA-31
Caption	VFA-31 insignia
Dates	Established 1935 (as predecessor squadrons)
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States Navy
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Strike fighter squadron
Role	Carrier-based strike and air superiority
Size	~200 personnel
Command structure	Carrier Air Wing Three
Garrison	Naval Air Station Oceana
Nickname	«Tomcatters»
Motto	«Memento Mori»
Colors	Black and Gold
Mascot	Grim Reaper
Aircraft attack	F/A-18E Super Hornet
Aircraft fighter	F/A-18E Super Hornet

VFA-31 is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron known by the nickname "Tomcatters". The squadron operates carrier-based F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft and is assigned to Carrier Air Wing Three aboard Carrier Strike Group Four-associated carriers. VFA-31 traces its lineage through a long series of redesignations and historic predecessor units dating to the 1930s and maintains a prominent presence in Naval aviation operations, multinational exercises, and contingency deployments.

History

VFA-31 evolved from early Navy aviation units formed in the 1930s and is connected by lineage to squadrons that participated in pre-World War II and World War II Pacific campaigns such as the Battle of Midway, Guadalcanal Campaign, and Solomon Islands campaign. During the Cold War the squadron's antecedents flew jet aircraft during crises including the Korean War, Vietnam War, and confrontations tied to the Cuban Missile Crisis and Suez Crisis era contingencies. In the post-Cold War era the squadron transitioned through aircraft generations and participated in operations related to Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, often deploying on nuclear-powered carriers like the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). Over decades the unit adapted to changing doctrine under leaders within United States Fleet Forces Command, Commander, Naval Air Forces, and carrier strike group commanders.

Mission and Role

VFA-31 performs carrier-based strike, close air support, interdiction, and air superiority missions supporting commanders such as the United States European Command, United States Central Command, and United States Indo-Pacific Command. The squadron provides forward presence and power projection in coordination with assets like Carrier Air Wing Three, Carrier Strike Group Three, and joint forces from United States Marine Corps squadrons and United States Air Force units during multinational exercises including RIMPAC, Exercise Malabar, and Red Flag. Its roles support strategic objectives outlined by the Department of Defense and cooperate with allied navies such as the Royal Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Royal Australian Navy.

Aircraft and Equipment

Historically the squadron and its predecessors flew piston-engine types such as the Grumman F4F Wildcat and Grumman F6F Hellcat, then early jets including the McDonnell F2H Banshee and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. Later transitions included the Grumman F-14 Tomcat during the late 20th century and finally the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for modern strike and air superiority missions. VFA-31 employs avionics suites integrating systems from manufacturers like Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin, and uses weapons such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AGM-88 HARM, and precision-guided munitions like the Joint Direct Attack Munition.

Home Bases and Deployments

The squadron is home-based at Naval Air Station Oceana with detachments historically at facilities like Naval Air Station Fallon for weapons and tactics training and at Naval Air Station Lemoore during transition periods. VFA-31 routinely deploys aboard aircraft carriers including the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), and USS George Washington (CVN-73) to regions under United States Fifth Fleet and United States Seventh Fleet operational control. Deployments support multinational task forces, bilateral partnerships with countries such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and United Kingdom, and port visits to ports including Yokosuka, Singapore, and Pearl Harbor.

Notable Operations and Engagements

Elements tied to the squadron or its antecedents have flown combat sorties in major 20th- and 21st-century conflicts including World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. In recent decades deployments supported Operation Desert Shield, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. The squadron has participated in multinational evacuations, freedom of navigation operations near contested waterways such as the South China Sea, and crisis-response sorties during incidents involving regional actors like Iran and North Korea.

Unit Awards and Insignia

The squadron and its predecessors have earned unit awards from the Department of the Navy and recognition under commands including United States Pacific Fleet and United States Fleet Forces Command for combat performance, safety milestones, and operational excellence. The squadron's distinctive insignia features the Grim Reaper and the motto "Memento Mori", and the nickname "Tomcatters" reflects heritage associated with the Grumman F-14 Tomcat era. Squadron markings and commemorative patches are displayed in museums such as the National Naval Aviation Museum and are preserved in archives at institutions like the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Category:United States Navy aircraft squadrons Category:Strike fighter squadrons