Date of Action: February 19, 2010
Base of Operations: HMS Implacable
Division Assignment: Defense Cruiser Group C99

VMF-251 took off from Implacable in 8 F4U-1Cs at 2307 to defend cruiser group C99 alongside VF-17 and Sick Puppies. Squadron began climb to patrol area at 30,000ft, and formed by flights:

Red Flight
Lt. Col. Wyatt
2nd Lt. Millsaps
1st Lt. Roche
1st Lt. Bodie

Blue Flight
Capt. Sidle
1st Lt. Trol
1st Lt. King
2nd Lt. Coronado

Squadron set up patrol arc on west side of task group at high altitude. at about 0000 Sick Puppies sighted enemy Ki-67s approaching task group from the north. VMF-251 vectored to intercept with VF-17.

Sidle shot down Ki-61 at 0004. Trol shot down four Ki-67s at 0005, and two more at 0006. Wyatt shot down Ki-67s at 0005 and 0006. Roche crashed at 0006. King shot down A6M at 0008. Millsaps bailed out 0008. Wyatt shot down A6M at 0008. Trol experienced mechanical failure at 0012. Bodie shot down 0015.

Main attack driven off with heavy losses, but small group of Ki-84s remained at high altitude harassing CAP. Wyatt suffered heavy engine damage and was forced to withdraw to Victorious. Sidle shot down one Ki-84 at 0018, and Coronado another at 0022.

Wyatt recovered successfully at 0021. Remainder of squadron returned to Victorious and recovered by 0038.