A History of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 531
An F/A-iSA from VMFA-53i joins two other Marine Hornets in a flight over Ca4fornia s majestic Mount Whitney. (Photo courtesy of VMFA-531 Archives) A History of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 531 by Colonel Charles J. Quilter II, USMCR (Ret) and Captain John C. Chapin, USMCR (Ret) HISTORY AND MUSEUMS DIVISION HEADQUARTERS, U.S. MARINE CORPS WASHINGTON, D.C. 2001 Other Volumes in the Marine Corps Squadron Histories Series A History of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161, 1978 AHistory of Marine Attack Squadron 223, 1978 AHistory of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, 1978 AHistory of Marine Attack Squadron 311, 1978 AHistory of Marine Attack Squadron 312, 1978 AHistory of Marine Observation Squadron 6, 1982 AHistory of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323, 1987 AHistory of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, 1988 AHistory of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321, 1991 PCN190 00319 600 II Foreword This history traces a half century of active service by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 531.It was a unique squadron because its history demonstrates the com- plete evolution from night fighter to all-weather fighter to fighter-attack.Its earliest days placed the Marine Corps as the pioneer of all the military Services in night fighting. From the primitive converted civilian airliner, the PV-1, to the most modern Marine Corps fighter, the F/A-18, the "Grey Ghosts" evolved as their tactics changed. Their service covered the globe: Cherry Point on the East Coast, Texas, El Toro on the West Coast, the Southwest Pacific, Iwakuni in Japan, Cubi Point in the Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, the Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean.
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