U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Joel Borda, left, from Colorado, a KC-130J Super Hercules co-pilot, and Capt. Jesstin Krech, right, from Minnesota, a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft commander, both with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, discuss flight plans aboard a KC-130J, Jan. 14, 2025. VMGR-252 is preparing to participate in a cold-weather training exercise alongside the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 436 Transport Squadron, 1 Canadian Air Division, to improve interoperability and increase proficiency while operating KC-130J aircraft in cold and extreme cold weather conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mya Seymour)
U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 conduct a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Jan. 10, 2025. The ceremony represented a transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from Lt. Col. Nicholas Culver to Lt. Col. Brian Kursawe. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. David Ornelas Baeza)
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), reactivated during a ceremony on Thursday aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, following a four-year, seven-month hiatus.
VMFA-251, known as the “Thunderbolts” or “T-Bolts,” was previously deactivated during a ceremony on April 23, 2020, aboard MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, after returning from deployment in 2020 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The Thunderbolts’ deactivation concluded its 34 years as an F/A-18 Hornet squadron. The squadron was then relocated to MCAS Cherry Point to begin its transition to the F-35.
VMFA-251 received its first F-35C Lightning II Joint...
