Fighter Squadron 51

Fighter Squadron 51
Unit name	Fighter Squadron 51
Dates	1945–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Fighter
Role	Air superiority
Command structure	Carrier Air Wing Five
Garrison	Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Nickname	"Screaming Eagles"
Battles	Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War
Aircraft fighter	F-35C Lightning II

Fighter Squadron 51. It is a long-serving United States Navy fighter squadron currently operating the advanced F-35C Lightning II and assigned to Carrier Air Wing Five. Known as the "Screaming Eagles," the squadron has participated in major conflicts including the Korean War and the Gulf War. Its home base is Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan.

History

The squadron was established in 1945, shortly before the end of World War II, but did not see combat in that conflict. It was quickly called to action during the Korean War, flying missions from the USS ''Essex'' and other aircraft carriers in the Sea of Japan. Throughout the Cold War, the squadron conducted numerous Western Pacific deployments and saw extensive combat during the Vietnam War, operating from carriers like the USS ''Coral Sea''. In the modern era, it participated in Operation Desert Storm and later supported Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron transitioned to the F-35C Lightning II in the 2020s, becoming one of the first U.S. Navy units to field the fifth-generation fighter.

Aircraft assignment

Over its history, the squadron has operated a succession of iconic naval fighter aircraft. Its first major type was the F9F Panther, which it flew during the Korean War. This was followed by the F-8 Crusader during the late 1950s and 1960s. The squadron transitioned to the F-4 Phantom II in time for combat operations in Southeast Asia. In the 1980s, it began flying the F-14 Tomcat, a mainstay during the final years of the Cold War. It later operated the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet before receiving its current aircraft, the F-35C Lightning II.

Notable operations

The squadron's combat history includes providing close air support and conducting air interdiction missions during the Korean War. In Vietnam, it flew numerous combat sorties, including missions over North Vietnam and Laos as part of Operation Rolling Thunder and Operation Linebacker. During the Gulf War, the squadron flew from the USS ''Theodore Roosevelt'', performing combat air patrols and strike missions over Kuwait and Iraq. It also participated in enforcement of the Iraqi no-fly zones and later returned to the region for combat operations in the Iraq War.

Squadron insignia and nickname

The squadron's insignia, approved by the Chief of Naval Operations, features a stylized eagle's head in profile, often depicted with a fierce expression. This emblem led directly to the unit's enduring nickname, the "Screaming Eagles." The insignia has been modified over the decades but has consistently featured the eagle motif, symbolizing speed, aggression, and air superiority. The colors and specific design elements have evolved with different aircraft eras, from the F9F Panther to the modern F-35C Lightning II.

Commanding officers

Command of the squadron has been held by numerous distinguished naval aviators throughout its history. Early commanders led the unit through the intense air campaigns of the Korean War. Subsequent commanding officers guided the squadron during pivotal periods, including the height of the Vietnam War and the technological shift to the F-14 Tomcat. More recent commanders have overseen the transition from the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to the F-35C Lightning II and the squadron's integration into the forward-deployed Carrier Air Wing Five in the Indo-Pacific region.

Awards and honors

The squadron has been recognized with multiple unit awards for its combat performance and service. These include the Navy Unit Commendation for actions during the Vietnam War and the Meritorious Unit Commendation for service in the Persian Gulf. It has also received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for various contingencies and the Southwest Asia Service Medal for its role in Operation Desert Storm. The squadron's battle efficiency awards, known as the Battle "E", attest to its sustained operational readiness over many decades.

Category:United States Navy fighter squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1945