MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The guidon of the 23rd Fighter Group was passed to Lt. Col. Ronald Stuewe Jr. July 26, 2011. Col. Skip Hinman relinquished command of the unit after 26 months as commander.

Col. Billy Thompson, 23rd Wing commander, presided over the ceremony and presented Hinman with the Legion of Merit decoration for his service during the past 26 months.

"It has been the greatest honor of my military career to serve the fine men and women of the 23rd FG as their commander," said Hinman. "We have endeavored over the last two years to establish the 23rd FG as the operational center of excellence for the deployment and employment of A-10C Thunderbolt II combat power.

"As I reflect on the last two years I am overwhelmed by what you have accomplished," he added.

Stuewe, whose last assignment was as a student at the NATO Defense College in Rome, said he is glad to be the new commander of the 23rd FG.

"I greatly look forward to working with the men and women of the 23rd FG as they write the next chapter in the story, history and legacy of the legendary Flying Tigers," said Stuewe.

"After living abroad for the last five years I am excited to be back home, and I am exceptionally excited to be back in such a tremendously supportive and warm local community here in Valdosta," he added.

The 23rd FG traces its roots back to the 23rd Pursuit Group, constituted at Langley Field, Va., Dec. 17, 1941. The group was deactivated and reactivated several times before becoming the 23rd WG at Pope Air Force Base, N.C. Then in 2007, the 23rd FG was relocated to Moody Air Force Base.

"There are few organizations in our Air Force with the illustrious history of the 23rd FG," said Thompson. "There is no organization more respected by its allies or more feared by its enemies than the Flying Tigers."

Since the 23rd FG was moved to Moody, it has deployed numerous times in support of operations in Afghanistan.

"Downrange, the incredible skill of Hinman's warriors resulted in them being the most sought after close air support asset in the world," said Thompson.

"You personally made a positive difference every day of your command in the lives of not only your Airmen and families but the lives of soldiers, sailors, Airmen, Marines, coalition partners, civilians caught in the chaos of war, our Air Force and our nation," he added. "You have definitely continued the legacy."

The 23rd FG celebrates 70 years of combat excellence this year. As Stuewe assumes command and Hinman says goodbye to this legendary unit, there are members of the 23rd FG who were not at the ceremony. These Airmen are deployed, conducting operations in Afghanistan.

From the original pilots who flew the Curtiss P-40 Warhawks to the rugged A-10s, the Flying Tigers have painted the distinctive shark teeth on the front of their planes. As long as they are flying missions, enemies and allies know and recognize this unit and give them the respect they deserve.