page_title: VMFA-251
section_title: Korean War
hierarchical_section_title: VMFA-251 / History / Korean War
caption_attribution_description: Douglas AD-4 Skyraider attack planes of U.S. Marine Corps attack squadron VMA-251 Thunderbolts at Pyongtaek airfield (K-6), South Korea, in 1953/54.
context_page_description: Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 was a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Also known as the "Thunderbolts", the squadron was based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Squadron radio callsign was "T-Bolt".
context_section_description: With the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, VMF-251 was recalled to active service and directed to transition to the AD-4 Skyraider. In late April 1951 the squadron was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. With the aircraft transition complete, the squadron was re-designated Marine Attack Squadron 251 (VMA-251) on April 25, 1951. VMA-251 embarked to Korea in June 1953. Although the squadron only saw action the last two weeks of the war, it flew 310 combat sorties totaling more than 550 hours and had the distinction of having the last Marine aircraft engaged in combat during the Korean War on 27 July 1953. VMA-251 remained in Korea for two and a half years providing air defense along the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
  In January 1956, the Thunderbolts relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan and remained in the Far East for fifteen months. In 1957, VMA-251 was again relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Miami, Florida flying the FJ-4 Fury. With the transition to the FJ-4 came the re-designation to VMF-251 on April 20, 1957.
  In April 1958 VMF-251 was moved to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California to receive its first supersonic fighter, the F8U Crusader. The Thunderbolts departed MCAS El Toro for the Pacific carrying with them the motto “Custos Caelorum”, meaning “Guardians of the Sky”.
caption: AD-4s of VMA-251 in Korea, 1953-54.
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