About Us

The late Jerry Dorneker (below left) (VMFA-251 1964-1967) and myself (below right), Steve Dixon (VMFA-251 1976-1979), decided to start this page. Jerry's company at the time, Videoconferencing Solutions, Inc., helped in establishing this site. I am the webmaster, in charge of content. Our goal was to find as many former members of VMFA-251, from World War 2 to the present day. Please send all email to me if you wish to contribute pictures and/or stories. We want to hear from everyone.

In 2011, 25 VMFA-251 Marines held a reunion in Peachtree City, Ga. Marines present saw service with the squadron from the 1950s to 1980s. We also had three former commanding officers attend. Another reunion was held in 2017 in Pensacola, Florida. Our last reunion was held in Charleston, SC, Nov. 7-10, 2019.

Following boot camp at MCRD Parris Island, SC, I went to NAS Millington, Tn. for basic electronics and electricity school. From there I was sent to MCAS Beaufort, SC and assigned to VMFA-251's WC 220 - Electric shop. After a short period of OJT, I was sent to MCAS Cherry Point, NC for specialized schooling on the F-4J Phantom II. After I completed the course, I was sent back to VMFA-251 and stayed with them until I was discharged in 1979. While serving, I found myself in Maine, Louisiana, Arizona and California. In 1977 we deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan for a year and then back to Beaufort.

The next step is to form an association of squadron veterans to hold regular reunions, offer scholarships to family members of those who served with the squadron, and to perpetuate the history of the squadron for future generations.