Overview
"The complete operational history of an outstanding Marine fighter squadron throughout the Cold War. The Thunderbolts of VMFA-251 were reactivated as a Marine Air Reserve squadron in 1946. Their Cold War only included a few weeks of traditional combat operations in Korea - but they would undertake constant training exercises and deployments from 1946 to 1991 as they prepared for a potential war against the USSR or China, the two giants of Communism. From South Korea to Norway to Turkey and points in between, the Thunderbolts found themselves defending the free world and living up to their motto, Custos Caelorum. Following the end of the Korean War, the squadron remained in the Far East until 1956. Back in the States it began flying the FJ-3 Fury, a jet fighter, before converting to its first supersonic fighter, the F-8U ""Crusader"". In early 1962, it was the first Marine F-8 squadron to deploy aboard an aircraft carrier, as part of CVW-10 (Carrier Air Wing) aboard the USS Shangri-La. During deployment in the Mediterranean Sea, the squadron set a record for the most flight time in one month for a Sixth Fleet-based F-8 squadron by flying over 500 hours. In 1964, the Thunderbolts were the first Marine squadron in 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing to transition to the F-4B ""Phantom II,"" which they would fly for 21 years and 80,000 flight hours, until transitioning to the F/A-18 ""Hornet in 1987. These deployments and exercises, while not ""at war,"" were not without dangers. The Thunderbolts lost many personnel and aircraft, but they persevered as the armed forces of freedom-loving nations faced the ongoing threat of communism for over four decades. Compiled from archive records and interviews by a veteran of VMFA-251, this account narrates how the Thunderbolts worked hard to maintain the peace. They were indeed Custodians of the Sky. AUTHOR: Steven K. Dixon is a veteran of the USMC, serving with VMFA-251 from 1976 to 1979. In addition to writing, he also designs conflict simulation games. He and his wife Lisa currently reside in Georgia, their three children having grown up and left home."
Full Product Details
Author: Steven K Dixon
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Imprint: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 9781636241937
ISBN 10: 163624193
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 15 January 2023
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
"""Well researched. Well written. Steven Dixon actually flew in this squadron, has a passion for its history, and does a masterful job in following their exploits, trials, and triumphs from their World War II and Korean War records and on through, and to the end of, the Cold War.""-- ""The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation"""
Author Information
Steven K. Dixon is a veteran of the USMC, serving with VMFA-251 from 1976 to 1979. In addition to writing, he also designs conflict simulation games. He and his wife Lisa currently reside in Georgia, their three children having grown up and left home.
