About this Unit
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251), known as the "Thunderbolts," was originally commissioned in 1941 as VMF-251. The squadron saw combat during World War II in the Solomon Islands campaign, supporting Allied operations in the Pacific Theater. Over the decades, VMFA-251 transitioned through various aircraft, including the F4U Corsair, F-4 Phantom II, and the F/A-18 Hornet, reflecting the evolution of Marine Corps aviation. The unit participated in numerous operations, including Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom, consistently demonstrating its versatility and combat effectiveness before being deactivated in 2020.
Historical Facts
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Historic Origins: VMFA-251, also known as the "Thunderbolts," traces its lineage back to December 1, 1941, when it was originally commissioned as Marine Observation Squadron 251 (VMO-251) just days before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
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World War II Service: The squadron flew the Grumman F4F Wildcat in the Pacific Theater, participating in major campaigns including the Battle of Guadalcanal, where it provided vital air support for ground forces.
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Carrier Operations: During World War II, VMFA-251 became one of the first Marine squadrons to operate from aircraft carriers, enhancing the Marine Corps' ability to project power from the sea.
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Nickname "Thunderbolts": The squadron adopted the "Thunderbolts" nickname and its distinctive lightning bolt insignia in the postwar era, symbolizing speed and striking power.
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Multiple Aircraft Transitions: VMFA-251 has operated a wide variety of aircraft, including the F4F Wildcat, F4U Corsair, F9F Panther, FJ Fury, F8 Crusader, F-4 Phantom II, and most recently, the F/A-18 Hornet.
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Cold War Deployments: Throughout the Cold War, the squadron was deployed aboard aircraft carriers and conducted numerous operations in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, showcasing the Marines' global reach.
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Operation Desert Storm: VMFA-251 played a key role in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, flying combat sorties in support of coalition forces during the liberation of Kuwait.
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Forward Deployment: The squadron has frequently deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) aboard the USS America (CV-66) and USS Enterprise (CVN-65), supporting operations in the Balkans and Middle East.
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Global War on Terror: VMFA-251 participated in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying missions over Afghanistan and Iraq in support of U.S. and coalition ground forces.
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Deactivation and Legacy: In April 2023, VMFA-251 was deactivated after more than 80 years of service, marking the end of an era but leaving a proud legacy as one of the Marine Corps' most storied fighter squadrons.
