Steven K. Dixon's Books

Photo Recon Became Fighter Duty

Marine Observation Squadron 251 in World War II

By: Steven K. Dixon

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Photo Recon Became Fighter Duty

Marine Observation Squadron 251 in World War II

By: Steven K. Dixon

Trained as a photo reconnaissance unit, Marine Observation Squadron 251 ended up serving as a fighter squadron for the duration of World War II, shooting down 32 Japanese aircraft. The squadron earned several awards for outstanding performance, including the Presidential Unit Citation. This book is the first to cover the World War II history of VMFA-251, one of the Marine Corps' longest-serving squadrons. The author traces their operations from the unit's activation on December 1, 1941, through Guadalcanal, the reduction of Rabaul and their missions over the Philippines in 1945.

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Page Count

250

Publisher

McFarland

Published Date

ISBN 10

1476624976

ISBN 13

9781476624976

Keeping the Peace

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 During the Cold War 1946–1991

By: Steven K. Dixon

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Keeping the Peace

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 During the Cold War 1946–1991

By: Steven K. Dixon

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.

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Age

Page Count

268

Publisher

Casemate

Published Date

ISBN 10

1636241948

ISBN 13

9781636241944

Keeping the Peace

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 During the Cold War 1946–1991

By: Steven K. Dixon

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Keeping the Peace

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 During the Cold War 1946–1991

By: Steven K. Dixon

Average ratings

N/A

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Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

268

Publisher

Casemate

Published Date

ISBN 10

1636241948

ISBN 13

9781636241944

Book's by Steven K. Dixon

Photo Recon Became Fighter Duty

Photo Recon Became Fighter Duty

Keeping the Peace

Keeping the Peace

Keeping the Peace

Keeping the Peace

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