New commander forges ahead, defines goals for 23 WG future

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Eric Schloeffel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  With the 23rd Wing change of command ceremony May 11, Col. Kenneth "Kenn" Todorov took reigns of Moody's highest ranking position. 

Colonel Todorov officially succeeded Col. Joe Callahan, who is slated to become Air Combat Command deputy director of air and space operations at Langley Air Force Base, Va. 

"This is the premier Air Force wing," said Colonel Todorov. "For one, we have three separate missions here, and attack, rescue, protect says it all. But we also have such a strong heritage behind our missions with the Flying Tigers, Jolly Green Giants, and combat search and rescue - and now the legacy of the 820th Security Forces Group is building as we speak. 

"In all my years in the Air Force, I've never seen a community that supports the military and Air Force like this one," the colonel added. "All those things combined make this a very special place to me." 

But as special as Moody is, there are many challenges facing the base the colonel hopes to successfully address during his tenure as wing commander. 

"In the short-term, one major focus is the bed-down process of the A-10 as the 23rd Fighter Group arrives," he said. "We also have to ensure we quickly complete precision engagement modifications to make the aircraft A-10Cs so the 23rd Fighter Group can become even more effective." 

Another challenge is ensuring Airmen and their families are cared for during this high operations tempo era, said Colonel Todorov. 

"I'm concerned with the ops tempo issue, especially within the CSAR community," he said. "We need to do everything we can for our warriors to ensure they have opportunities to reconstitute and spend time with their families. I want to know Airmen and their families are taken care of, so in-turn they can go on the flight-line and turn wrenches and fly airplanes to get the mission accomplished effectively." 

In the face of these issues, Colonel Todorov believes his predecessor left him with an outstanding organization to work with. This should help posture him for any current and future challenges, he said. 

"Colonel Callahan has been a phenomenal leader, role model and mentor to me," said Colonel Todorov. "There have been many changes since he's taken over - a major command change, a wing change and base realignment and closure transition. They are certainly big shoes to fill, but I learned a lot from him and hope to continue the successes he set forth." 

One of the successes the new wing commander hopes to build upon is the unity of the three missions Moody will soon support, he said. 

"It is critical we continue to develop some synergies between the three mission areas, as there are many things we can learn from each other," said Colonel Todorov. "The A-10, combat search and rescue and security forces missions will always be separate entities, but I know this wing will be hitting on all cylinders once we are training and working together. As we head to the future, we need to focus on that aspect of the mission to take this wing to a higher level." 

The colonel also touts programs such as Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century and Lean to eliminate waste in an Air Force currently undergoing financial constraints. 

"In the past, we have tried some initiatives that I consider fads, but I think these concepts are different because of the fiscal environment we are facing," he said. "We need to incorporate AFSO21 and Lean into our culture as Airmen, and every day think of how we can execute the mission better, faster and cheaper. If we aren't, we're missing the mark." 

On a slightly more individual scale, the colonel also emphasizes the importance of core values which can set Airmen on the right path for mission accomplishment. 

"The core values are a good yard stick, and I think we need to ponder what they mean to us," he said. "If you live by them, you are setting yourself up for success. It's something I intend to stress and talk about around the wing." 

Another technique to help Airmen succeed is to dedicate effort into developing and molding future leaders to ensure the Air Force operates at a high-level for years to come, said Colonel Todorov. 

"Developing Airmen at every level, from commanders to those at the most junior levels, is a vital concept," said the colonel. "Air Force Gen. W.L. Creech said that the No. 1 job of a leader is to develop your replacement and other leaders around you. It's not a new idea, but it's important all supervisors come up with a game plan to develop their Airmen. It's also a crucial job for a wing commander to ensure that happens." 

While looking into the bright future ahead for the 23rd Wing and its varied missions, the colonel believes it's important Team Moody remember their heritage as American Airmen and the lineage of their organizations. 

"Air Force leaders recently released a revised version of the Airman's Creed, which discussed what it means to be an American warrior Airmen and the culture linked to our foundation," he said. "I want everyone at Moody to understand how important legacy is to this wing, specifically with the Flying Tigers, Jolly Green Giants, Combat Kings, CSAR and pararescue. Heritage and historic lineage is important, and we need to foster, develop and learn from it." 

Colonel Todorov is a command pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours in the TH-55, UH-1H, CH-3E, HH-3E, UH-60L, SH-60F, HH-60H, MH-60G, HH-60G, HC-130, MI-8 and MI-24. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1985 from Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., and has also earned master's degrees in business administration, national security and strategic studies. 

The colonel served as director of staff for the 347th Rescue Wing in 2005-2006, and other assignments including squadron commander of Air Force Flight Test Center Detachment 3 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and as an exchange officer for the Navy's Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 10 at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
While the past and future weigh heavy on the colonel's mind, he could be no happier than now as he takes helm of the 23rd Wing. 

"We are serving in the greatest wing, Air Force and nation on the planet, and I'm proud to be a part of it," said Colonel Todorov. "I appreciate the hard work, sacrifice and effort of every Airman on this base, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to command this wing and serve with such outstanding Airmen."