VMFA-251. (People Planes Places).

In 1942 Fighter Attack Squadron predecessor, Marine Observation Squadron 251, was flying aerial reconnaissance in F4F Wildcats. Today, the Thuderbolts fill a fighter-attack role with the F/A-18 Hornet. Their mission is to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft and attack and destroy surface targets under all weather conditions, operating from aircraft carriers, advanced bases and expeditionary airfields.

The Thunderbolts deployed to the Arabian Sea in support of the war on terrorism in October 2001 aboard Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). For the next five months, they executed operations against Taliban and al Qaeda forces. Flying more than 750 combat missions and accumulating more than 3,500 flight hours, the TBolts dropped more than 445,000 pounds of ordnance. While aboard TR, the squadron spent 159 continuous days at sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Again deployed to the Middle East in support of the global war on terrorism and future contingency operations, the Thunderbolts of VMFA-251 remain as their motto states: Custos Caelorum--"Guardians of the Skies."