Team Moody hosts Flying Tiger Reunion

  • Published
  • By Capt. Dustin Hart
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  History will come alive starting Oct. 4 as Team Moody welcomes approximately 100 members of the 23rd Flying Tiger Association to the base for the 2007 23rd Flying Tiger Association Reunion.

This is the first time Moody has hosted the three-day annual event after the 23rd Wing was stood up here last year. This year the reunion commemorates the 65th anniversary of the 23rd Wing.

More than 25 Flying Tigers who served with the 23rd Fighter Group during World War II are expected to join the reunion this year.

"Holding the reunion at Moody allows the Airmen of the 23rd Wing to get an understanding and appreciation of the Flying Tigers' rich heritage," said Col. Kenneth Todorov, 23rd Wing commander. "It also educates the veterans on what the wing is currently doing and how the heritage they created is being expanded by today's warrior Airmen."

To help educate the Flying Tigers alumni on current Moody missions, several units will present briefings and static displays, including the 23rd Fighter Group, 347th Rescue Group and 820th Security Forces Group.

The 23rd FG and 347th RQG will also team-up to demonstrate the coordination that exists between the wing's rescue and attack mission specialties during a combat search and rescue demonstration on Grand Bay Range Oct. 5.

The wing's operational units will also test their skills during the "Tiger Shoot" competition, which will grade aircrews on mission-related tasks. Awards will be given to the top performers for the A-10, HC-130 and HH-60 aircraft.

In addition to these events, there will be several opportunities for Moody Airmen to directly interact with the Flying Tiger legends. These include a barbeque lunch following the CSAR demonstration and golf and skeet-shooting tournaments on Oct. 6.

"By incorporating the new 23rd Wing Airmen into the reunion, we set the future foundation for an active Flying Tiger Association," said Maj. Jeff Hogan, 74th Fighter Squadron and reunion planner. "It also helps educate a new generation on the proud Flying Tiger heritage which has been laid before us."

The reunion will culminate with a 23rd Wing/23rd Flying Tiger Association dinner at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center in Valdosta on Oct. 6. Maj. Gen. (retired) L.D. Johnston, former commander of Moody's 347th Wing between 1996 and 1998, will be the keynote speaker.

For more information regarding the various reunion events, please contact your respective unit leadership.