Moody officially welcomes 23rd Fighter Group

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Eric Schloeffel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  After months of planning, the 23rd Fighter Group's anticipated arrival to Moody was celebrated during a welcoming ceremony July 30. 

While the group has been operating as one of Moody's geographically-separated units for nearly a year, A-10s will begin to permanently settle into their new base in the upcoming weeks, said Col. Kenneth Todorov, 23rd Wing commander. 

"Today we officially welcome and plant the flag which represents the outstanding Airmen and A-10 aircraft of the 23rd Fighter Group," the colonel said. "It's been a long time in the making and the final step toward completing a transition set in motion more than two years ago." 

The arrival will eventually bring the largest group of A-10s in the Air Force to Moody and will include the 74th and 75th Fighter Squadrons, 23rd Operations Support Squadron, 23rd Maintenance Squadron and 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. The aircraft's main mission of providing close air support will fit nicely into Moody's skill sets of combat and search and rescue from the 347th Rescue Group, and force protection from the 820th Security Forces Group, said Colonel Todorov. 

"Thanks to Moody's Airmen, the Air Force is ever ready to attack and rescue, all while protecting our most important asset - Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines who venture into harms way to protect the liberties all of us hold so dear," said Colonel Todorov. "The realignment of the Flying Tigers combines two of the Air Force's most critical missions under one umbrella - close air support and combat search and rescue." 

The 23rd FG previously fell under the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., but the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure announcement entailed moving the unit's close air support assets to Moody. 

Though the synergy between missions lends to a bright future, Colonel Todorov places heavy emphasis on the 23rd FG's historic ties to the past and how they fit into the already storied heritage of other Moody units. 

"Since World War II, the 23rd has participated in every combat action other than Korea; and no other A-10 unit has destroyed more targets or material," he said. "These warrior Airmen have made an indelible mark in Air Force history. And while I'm certain they'd agree it wasn't always easy, they did it with skill and made it look effortless." 

The distinguished fighter pilots of the American Volunteer Group assisted the Chinese and Burmese forces against Japanese invaders in 1941 and were first-responders after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Due to their combat success, and the shark teeth painted on their Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter planes, the Chinese named the group "Fei Hu." They would soon be known as the "Flying Tigers" by the American media. 

"The road to this day began in Southwest China in 1942 as the Flying Tigers, born out of the original American Volunteer Group, brought meaningful blows against the enemy at a time when the nation was struggling to muster a response to the threat posed by our enemies," said Col. Michael O'Dowd, 23rd Fighter Group commander. "This relatively small fighter group would continue to play a central role in occupying the strategic western flank of Japanese forces, creating the opportunity for a Pacific campaign that ultimately brought victory over Japan. In its contemporary form, the group has routinely upheld the high standards of courage, tactical innovation and skill, and warrior spirit set by our forbearers in China - building a matchless legacy."

In July 1942, several members of the Flying Tigers joined the U.S. Army Air Force's 23rd Fighter Group. Since then, the group has seen many inactivation and reactivations at several bases, but pride for its valiant efforts have not diminished, said Colonel Todorov.
"Through the years, the 23rd Fighter Group has seen many transitions, but the legacy of the Flying Tigers has lived on, largely because of the tenacity and strength of those who have gone before us," said Colonel Todorov. "As members of the 23rd Wing, we proudly carry the torch and forge ahead on an historical trail blazed by some of the most heroic Airmen in our history. 

"As vital members of our 23rd Wing, the 23rd Fighter Group will undoubtedly have a heavy hand in deciding what the future will look like for generations to come," the colonel added. "As we forge ahead, I know each and every one of them will be the very best stewards to ensure a limitless horizon - one where freedom's sun never sets." 

When it comes to carrying on this historic legacy to present times, 23rd FG Airmen have not missed a beat with many successes fighting the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Colonel Todorov. In March 2002, the unit landed the first U.S. fighter aircraft inside Afghanistan's borders and operated in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch for nearly seven months straight. 

"One only has to look at the 23rd Fighter Group's track record during the last year alone to appreciate the impact these Airmen have had on the Global War on Terror - nearly 3,000 combat sorties flown while racking up more than 10,000 combat flight hours in support of both Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom," said Colonel Todorov. 

Future combat successes seem even more likely considering every A-10 arriving to Moody will have received extensive upgrades to make them A-10Cs. The enhancements will allow the aircraft to engage enemy targets from greater altitudes and distances with better accuracy, and improve communications capabilities. 

The cockpit is also receiving upgrades which include two multi-functional color displays and a hands-on-throttle-and-stick interface which will allow pilots to accomplish missions with greater situational awareness. As a result, the aircraft is expected to remain operational until nearly 2030, according to Air Force officials. 

"(The 23rd Fighter Group) will transition to the A-10C, and their aircraft will undergo the most significant modifications it has ever received in their 30-year history," said Colonel Todorov. "These upgrades will make the aircraft a more capable and survivable attack fighter." 

But while challenges inherent to moving the largest active duty A-10 squadron in the Air Force still lie ahead, the unit's commander is confident that the torch of the legendary Flying Tigers will be passed to those serving at Moody. 

"The Airmen of the 23rd Fighter Group face a daunting road ahead in this new page of our history," said Colonel O'Dowd. "Although we're not newcomers to this wing, I believe the move to co-locate the group with its parent wing adds several arrows to the 23rd Wing's quiver as a vital combat resource our nation consistently turns in these times of war. I'm confident the 23rd Fighter Group will flourish here."