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After Action Report
Marine Fighting Squadron 251


Date of Action: Septebmer 4, 2009
Base of Operations: A17
Division Assignment: CAP A15

VMF-251 took off at 2300 with four Brewster B-239s and four Bf-109Es, assigned to defend A15. Squadron formed up by flights:

Red Flight
Lt. Col. Wyatt
NtWntd
2nd Lt. King
CWO2 Nelson

Blue Flight
Capt. Sidle
1st Lt. Trol
1st Lt. Roche
CWO2 Millsaps

Red Flight climbed to 25,000ft, Blue to 27,000 and settled into patrols. Sightings by ground forces identified large formation of B-25s and P-40s heading E towards defense area at low altitude. Wyatt vectored squadron to point SE of field to wait as they approached through radar.

Formation managed to get past squadron, but Wyatt turned to pursue, diving to shed altitude and gain speed with Brewsters, while Blue Flight waited closer to base. Enemy were sighted and Red Flight commenced attack.

Wyatt made pass on bombers then engaged escorts, downing P-40E at 2332. B-25 damaged on his pass crashed at 2333. Coronado forced two B-25s to crash at 2233, NtWntd shot down three B-25s at 2333. Nelson shot down 2333. Sidle shot down P-40 at 2334. Coronado shot down B-25 at 2334. NtWntd shot down fourth B-25 at 2334, then shot down. Wyatt cornered by four P-40s and shot down 2334. Coronado shot down P-40 at 2335. Sidle crashed 2336. Roche ditched 2336. Millsaps crashed 2352.

Strike package withdrew from area and Coronado and Trol rearmed bt 2346. Trol shot down B-25 at 2349. Squadron continued to patrol until 0000, then safely recovered at A15.

Personnel Status
Lt. Col. David Wyatt Shot Down
NtWntd shot Down
2nd Lt. Eli Coronado Landed Safely
CWO2 John Nelson Shot Down
Capt. Michael Sidle Crashed
1st Lt. Trol Landed Safely
1st Lt. Neil Roche Ditched
WO1 Billy Millsaps Crashed


Equipment Status
4 Brewster B-239 1 Recovered

3 Lost
4 Bf-109 1 Recovered

1 Damaged

2 Lost


Pilot Victories
Lt. Col. David Wyatt 2
NtWntd 4
2nd Lt. Eli Coronado 5
Capt. Michael Sidle 2
1st Lt. Trol 1