VMF-251 AAR for 1/16

[Saxman]

After Action Report
Marine Fighting Squadron 251

Date of Action: January 16, 2009
Base of Operations: Kolombangara (A11)
Division Assignment: Defense Kolombangara

VMF-251 took off from Kolombangara (A11) at 2307 with nine F4U-1 Corsairs, and proceeded Northwest after circling airfield towards Vella Lavella. Squadron organized into flights:

Red Flight
Saxman
Drazz
SNYK

Blue Flight
MEF4UD
Enker
Hazerdly
Herder

White Flight
CpMorgan
Viper65

VMF-251 assigned to patrol gap between Vella Lavella (A12) and A30, located SE corner of Choiseul. 325th Checkertails to patrol west side of Kolombangara, with Arabian Knights providing close CAP of Kolombangara.

Before 251 reached altitude encountered group of A6Ms high. Zeros initially flew past squadron, but then reversed in and forced 251 to engage.

Herder shot down 2321. CpMorgan and MEF4UD each claimed A6M at 2323. Drazz shot down A6M at 2324, and Saxman claimed Zero at 2325. SNYK shot down 2329.

Additional Zeros shot down by Saxman and Drazz at 2330, and Enker downed two Ki-67s at the same time. MEF4UD shot down Ki-67 at 2331, and Drazz claimed additional A6M at 2332. MEF4UD shot down D3As at 2332 and 2333, and Enker claimed D3A at 2333.

CpMorgan shot down D3A at 2334, and Drazz damaged in collision and forced to bail out. Viper65 shot down D3A at 2336. MEF4UD returned to base at 2337. CpMorgan bailed out with damage at 2338. Enker rearmed at 2341.

Ki-67 bombers made second run on Kolombangara. Saxman shot down one at 2342, collided with Ki-67 at 2347 and broke up.

Hazerdly returned to base at 2351. Enker returned at 2358, and Viper65 shot down 2358.
   

Pilot	Victories
Saxman	3
Drazz	3
MEF4UD	4
Enker	3
CpMorgan	2
Viper65	1