New commander takes charge of 23rd Wing

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Col. Gary Henderson assumed command of the 23rd Wing from Col. Kenneth Todorov during a change of command ceremony held here May 28. 

Lt. Gen. Gary North, 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central commander, officiated over the ceremony. Other distinguished guests in attendance at the ceremony included Brig. Gen. Michael Longoria, 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing commander, mayors from various cities surrounding Moody, Parker Greene, Moody support committee executive director, and his wife Dr. Lucy Greene, and civic and business leaders from the Valdosta, Ga., community. 

In addition, there was a formation comprised of Airmen from various groups and organizations from around the base. 

Colonel Todorov served as the wing commander at Moody for more than 2 years and is slated to become the executive assistant to Gen. Gene Renuart, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. 

"I have mixed emotions about leaving Moody," Colonel Todorov said. "This was an incredible assignment and it's been a great experience, but my family and I are excited about our next base." 

Colonel Henderson's previous assignment was at the U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, where he served as a Chief of Staff of the Air Force Fellow. 

Two of Colonel Henderson's previous assignments were with the 23rd WG. From 1994 to 1996, he served as a weapons instructor as well as the chief of plans and exercises for the 41st Rescue Squadron, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. 

In 2003, he served as with the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., as the director of operations. During the periods of which he was assigned to both squadrons, each was a geographically separated unit of the 23rd WG. 

"I'm privileged to be a part of the 23rd WG again. Besides serving in those squadrons, I was also in the Flying Tigers training squadron when I attended the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., so it's like coming home. This wing has some historically important roots and I feel honored," said Colonel Henderson. 

With an Operational Readiness Inspection scheduled for September for the 23rd WG, Colonel Henderson is confident that even with a change in leadership, Moody Airmen will be ready. 

"ORIs are designed to show whether we're ready to fight," he said. "I have great faith in the Moody Airmen that they will be able to pass while still supporting and conducting significant operations overseas." 

Colonel Henderson has a master's degree in aeronautical sciences, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla., as well as a master's in military arts and science from Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. 

He is rated as a command pilot, with more than 4,400 flying hours in the HH-60G, T-38A, UH-1 and T-37. 

(Staff Sgt. Robin Stanchak, 23rd Wing Public Affairs, also contributed to this article.)