Date of Action: September 19, 2008
Base of Operations: A12
Division Assignment: Strike 12.14

VMF-251 assigned fighter sweep duties for primary target, troop training facility in sector 12.14. Squadron took off at 2302 with 11 Bf-109G2s:

Red Flight
Maj. Wyatt
2nd Lt. Hammer
1st Lt. aJoust
2nd Lt. 1Duke1

Blue Flight
Capt. MEF4UD
2nd Lt. Roche
1st Lt. Sidle
1st Lt. Trol

White Flight
Capt. Morgan
2nd Lt. Bodie
2nd Lt. Lane

Squadron performed one orbit of field, before proceeding SE, with climb to 23,000ft to sweep target area. In area of sector 11.13 encountered sizable force of enemy strike craft heading W. Proceeded E to target area per strike commander.

At 12.13.2 turned N on course to objective. About 2330 encountered Yak-9s and turned to engage. Yaks dove out, pursued by part of squadron. Additional group of La-7s encountered high on W side of sector and engaged.

Bodie shot down La-5 at 2331. 1Duke1 shot down 2331. Trol and Wyatt shot down on deck at 2333. Bodie crashed at 2335. Sidle claimed La-5s at 2333 and 2334. Morgan downed La-5 at 2337. MEF4uD shot down 2338.

Squadron survivors withdrew from engagement area while main strike made their attack on target area. Morgan and Lane returned to A12 for rearm. Sidle, HAMMERR, aJoust and Roche diverted N to area of A15 to assist local defense against enemy airstrikes.

aJoust claimed P-39 and 2358, forced down enemy aircraft at 2359 before crashing at 0000. Sidle claimed P-39 and 2355, shot down 2358. HAMMERR shot down Yak-9T at 2355, forced down enemy at 2356, shot down at 2357. Roche crashed 2354.

Morgan and Lane recovered by 0002.