VMFA-251

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251
Active	1 December 1941 – 1 June 1945 1 July 1946 - 23 April 2020
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Fighter/Attack
Role	Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance
Part of	Marine Aircraft Group 31 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Nickname(s)	Thunderbolts Lucifer's Messengers (WWII - 1945)
Motto(s)	"Custos Caelorum" "Guardians of the Sky" "Squadron of Firsts"
Tail Code	DW
Mascot(s)	Thunderbolt
Engagements	World War II Battle of Guadalcanal Philippines campaign (1944–45) Korean War Operation Deny Flight Operation Provide Promise Global War on Terrorism Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003 invasion of Iraq
Commanders
Commanding Officer	LtCol Evan "Leonard" Shockley
Sergeant Major	SgtMaj Artie D. Martinez
Aircraft flown
Attack	AD-4 Skyraider
Fighter	F4F Wildcat F4U Corsair FJ-3 Fury F8U Crusader F-4 Phantom II F/A-18A/C Hornet

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251) was a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Known as the "Thunderbolts", the squadron was deactivated on 23 April 2020. If current plans hold, the squadron is to be re-activated by 2025 as a F-35C Lightning II and based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.