[2] VMSB-331 remained the Pacific and carried out air strikes against by-passed Japanese positions in the Marshall Islands for the remainder of the war.

At Guantanamo Bay, a Skyhawk making a low-level practice gunnery run hit the base perimeter fence.

On 23 June 1971, VMA-331 deployed with 20 A-4E Skyhawks onboard the USS Independence (CVA-62) for seven-month Mediterranean cruise as part of Carrier Air Wing Seven.

They first sailed to Puerto Rico where conducted its operational readiness inspection and also took part in the sinking of the USS Otter (DE-210) on 10 July 1970.

The planes recovered back to the Independence in late August and were quickly turned and sent to Souda Bay, Crete to act aggressors for Exercise National Week VIII.

[citation needed] On the second half of the deployment the squadron took part in two Carrier Air Wing Exercises (CAWEX) simulating strikes against the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67).

During the course of this deployment the ‘’Independence made port calls in Naples, Sardinia, Malta, Athens, Taranto, Barcelona, Cannes and Valencia.

The squadron returned to Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia on 30 January 1971 and the next day all personnel were transported back to MCAS Beaufort.