VX-31 F-18C Shoulder Patch
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 (VX-31) – "The Dust Devils"
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31, known as "The Dust Devils," is the United States Navy's premier air test and evaluation squadron, based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California's Mojave Desert. The squadron was redesignated as VX-31 on 1 May 2002 from its predecessor, the Naval Weapons Test Squadron China Lake, adopting the Dust Devils nickname inspired by the swirling desert winds of the 1.1-million-acre China Lake test range—which accounts for 85 percent of all land the Navy utilizes for research, development, test, and evaluation. Using the distinctive tail code "DD," the squadron flies a diverse fleet of tactical aircraft including the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, and MH-60S Seahawk, staffed by graduates of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School who bring extensive fleet experience to every evaluation.
VX-31's mission is to deliver effective and lethal capabilities to Navy and Marine Corps warfighters through developmental and integrated flight testing of aircraft and weapon systems. The squadron has been critical in testing some of the most advanced weapons in the American arsenal, including live-fire testing of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) and significant contributions to the initial fielding of the AIM-174B air-to-air missile in 2024. The Dust Devils also maintain search and rescue capabilities across the vast R-2508 range complex and surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. In September 2025, VX-31 marked the end of an era when it conducted the Navy's final AV-8B Harrier II flight, completing the platform's retirement with a sunset ceremony and traditional water salute at China Lake. The squadron's patch gained worldwide recognition when it was worn by Tom Cruise in the film Top Gun: Maverick, bringing the Dust Devils' storied test mission to a global audience. With more than 330 personnel including test pilots, flight test engineers, and support staff, VX-31 remains at the cutting edge of naval aviation weapons development.
Perfect For: VX-31 alumni and current Dust Devils, test pilot school graduates, NAWCWD and China Lake personnel, F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet community members, Top Gun fans, and naval aviation test and evaluation collectors.
This shoulder patch represents the squadron where America's most advanced weapons are born—tested over the desert ranges of China Lake by the best test pilots in naval aviation.
