Turning over a new leaf

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Col. Kenneth Todorov, 23rd Wing commander, passes the guidon to Lt. Col. Charles MacLaughlin, incoming 23rd Wing Detachment 1 commander, during an assumption of command ceremony Sept. 11 at the Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex at MacDill AFB, Fla. Lt. Col. MacLaughlin is coming from Hollman AFB, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gina Chiaverotti)

Giving a speech

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Col. Kenneth Todorov, 23rd Wing commander, gives a speech during the 23rd Wing Detachment 1 assumption of command ceremony Sept. 11 at the Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex at MacDill AFB, Fla. Lt. Col. Charles MacLaughlin is assuming the command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gina Chiaverotti)

Change of command

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Lt. Col. Charles MacLaughlin, 23rd Wing Detachment 1 commander, thanks his family during a speech at the 23rd WG Det. 1 assumption of command ceremony Sept. 11 at the Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex at MacDill AFB, Fla. Col. Kenneth Todorov was the presiding officer of the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gina Chiaverotti)

Avon Park Training Complex receives new Tiger

Published Sept. 12, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Spencer Gallien
23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The 23rd Wing Flying Tiger's Detachment 1 at Avon Park Air-Ground Training Complex received new leadership during a ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Sept. 11.

During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Charles MacLaughlin, 23rd Wing Detachment 1 commander, formally assumed command of the 107,000-acre tactical and conventional training range.

"Colonel "Buck" MacLaughlin is absolutely the right man to author the next chapter in the storied history and legacy of Avon Park," said Col. Kenneth E. Todorov, 23rd Wing commander. "The responsibilities that lie ahead for him and his team are pivotal to our national security."

Colonel MacLaughlin's last assignment was as director of the Joint Test and Training Initiative at Holloman AFB, N.M. He is also a graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy class of 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

The AAGTC includes an airfield, a control tower, and numerous buildings and support facilities, as well as the training range.

The park's mission is to provide a world-class training complex focused on the joint interagency multinational air-ground combat team while supporting compatible missions for National Defense.

During Colonel Todorov's speech at the ceremony he pointed out that the Avon Park Complex is used by the 23rd Wing, the U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet, Air Force Special Operations Command, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Marine Corps, the Florida Army National Guard and many more U.S. military assets.

"Avon Park keeps our military sharp and capable to defend our nation against any aggressor on American soil or abroad," said Colonel Todorov. "I have no doubt that Colonel MacLaughlin's time spent in the cockpit and in directing air operations has enabled him to understand first hand what training tools our military personnel require to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace.

"Colonel MacLaughlin, protect this national asset and continue to see to its care and investment," he added. "We as a community, as an Air Force and as a nation must continue to invest in the facilities and airfield at Avon Park--it is vital to our national security."

Colonel MacLaughlin is a command pilot with 2,600 flight-hours in aircraft including the A-10A Thunderbolt II and F-117 Nighthawk.