Date of Action: May 23, 2008
Base of Operations: A64
Division Assignment: Turquoise

VMF-251 took off in 109G-6s at 2304 and broke up into three sections: Maj. Wyatt and Lt. Drazz, Capt. MEF4UD and Lt. Roche, and Capt. Morgan and Lt. Bodie. Squadron cicled airfield, then proceeded to patrol radar gap between A61 and A68.

About 2330 Mosquitos reported inbound to A66. VMF-251 received directions from CiC to pursue, however squadron over a sector away, and did not arrive until Mosquitos engaged CAP over 66. Wyatt and Drazz arrived and joined engagement. Wyatt downed Mosquito at 2346. Drazz downed two more at 2346 and 2347. Mosquitos wiped out or driven off and defense objective not threatened again.

VMF-251 returned to patrol area, but redirected SW to intercept bombers exiting from target at A72. Squadron intercepted withdrawing B-17s W of A60. MEF4UD and Roche engaged first, both suffered damage and forced to egress. Wyatt and Drazz joined attack. Drazz downed B-17 at 0009, but shot down and forced to bail due to damage. Wyatt sustained engine damage, but continued to engage despite falling oil pressure. Morgan and Bodie entered engagement last. Morgan downed B-17 at 0011, and Bodie another at 0012.

MEF4UD successfully recovered at A61 at 0012. Herder crashed due to damage at 0008. Bodie crashed as a result of damage at 0016. Wyatt successfully landed at A60 at 0024 after engine failed due to oil loss. Morgan rearmed at A60 at 0017 and returned to patrol. Returned to bas at recovered at 0047.