VMFA-251

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251
Active
  • 1 December 1941 – 1 June 1945
  • 1 July 1946 - 23 April 2020
  • 5 December 2024 - Active
Country United States of America
Branch United States Marine Corps
TypeFighter/Attack
RoleClose air support
Air interdiction
Aerial reconnaissance
Part ofMarine Aircraft Group 14
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQMarine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Nickname(s)Thunderbolts
Lucifer's Messengers (WWII - 1945)
Motto(s)"Custos Caelorum"
"Guardians of the Sky"
"Squadron of Firsts"
Tail CodeDW
Mascot(s)Thunderbolt
Engagements
Commanders
Commanding OfficerLtCol Evan "Leonard" Shockley
Sergeant MajorSgtMaj Ashley C. Harrod
Aircraft flown
AttackAD-4 Skyraider
FighterF4F Wildcat
F4U Corsair
FJ-3 Fury
F8U Crusader
F-4 Phantom II
F/A-18A/C Hornet
F-35C Lightning II

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251) is a United States Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II squadron. Known as the "Thunderbolts", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.