MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT -- “Custos Caelorum,” or “Guardians of the Sky” is the name given to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 has 12 operating F-18 fighter jets, just as all operational squadrons aboard MCAS Beaufort, and has a long history.
A machine without all of its parts, no matter how big or small, wouldn’t be fully functional. The Marines of VMFA-251 know that each person on the training exercise is beneficial to the mission, no matter the rank.
VMFA-251 will be executing a Composite Training Unit Exercise with Carrier Airwing One for approximately 30 days aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Jan. 7.
While most Marines were on leave enjoying their holidays, Marines with VMFA-251 were going over the aircraft, preparing the jets for training.
Standing in line, the Marines handed their olive green sea bags to be loaded into the bed of a truck, and later transferred into the plane.
“The F-18 will be conducting carrier qualifications and cyclic operations in and around the carrier environment,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Charles Clark, an aircraft maintenance chief.
VMFA-251 is conducting carrier take-off and landing training for a future deployment.
“It will provide repeat and initial exposure for the new joints of the maintenance department and of the squadron, and will build a better team concept amongst us and our Navy counterparts in the air wing and aboard the ship,” said Clark.