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From the Valdosta Daily Times


MOODY AIR FORCE BASE — Moody Air Force Base held a “welcome home” ceremony for the 23rd Fighter Group Monday morning at the base fuel hangar.


The ceremony was conducted to celebrate the relocation of the group’s more than 50 A-10s from Pope Air Force Base, N.C., to Moody.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the skies above Moody Air Force Base are about to change,” said Col. Kenneth Todorov, 23rd Wing commander. “Today, officially and finally, the Flying Tigers are home.”

“Today, we officially welcome and plant the flag which represents the outstanding airmen and A-10 aircraft of the 23rd Fighter Group,” said Todorov. “It’s been a long time in the making. And it’s the final step toward completing a transition set in motion over two years ago.”

As part of the 2005 base realignment and closure decision, the 23rd Fighter Group was realigned from the 4th Fighter Wing at Pope Air Force Base to the then-347th Rescue Wing at Moody in August 2006. This move combined the close air support and combat search and rescue missions under one wing.

The 23rd Fighter Group directs the flying and maintenance operations for the Air Force’s largest A/OA-10 fighter group, consisting of two combat-ready A/OA-10 squadrons, an operational support squadron and a maintenance squadron. The Group ensures overall combat training and readiness for more than 100 pilots and 800 maintenance/support personnel.

“Already, the 23rd Mission Support Group has made great strides in making first class A-10s compatible facilities and airfield modifications a present reality,” said Col. Michael O’Dowd, 23rd Fighter Group commander.

The 23rd Maintenance Group is poised to be the backbone of the first active duty A-10S squadrons, said O’Dowd.

“In truth, the real muscle behind all the historical examples I’ve shared with you is the sweat and legendary grit of Flying Tiger maintainers,” said O’Dowd. “The 23rd Medical Group has anticipated our human tidal wave, and I’m confident the health of my force is in good hands.”

“Taken together, this unsurpassed Moody and local community team provides the ideal home station environment to support the families and mission of my Flying Tigers. I’m confident the 23rd Fighter Group will flourish here,” added O’Dowd.

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Faugh ah Ballaugh ~ Clear the Way

I'm assuming this is a typo/misquote of some sort. If not, can someone 'splain what an A10S is?

OC

Yeah, caught my eye, too. Maybe the writer was hispanic and when they said A-10C thought they said A-10 \"Si\" and shortened it to A-10S. Maybe? Maybe not.

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\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

I do believe it was a typo and should read first active duty A-10C squadron. Well unless there's some modifications that there not telling us....

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Faugh ah Ballaugh ~ Clear the Way

THANK GAWD! I was afraid I'd dropped off to sleep and had awakened in the distant future with a hole series of A-10's that I suddenly knew nothing about. It's hell getting old.

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Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option

No no no guys haven't you heard ? the A-10S has afterburners and that mod that we have begging for, for years and years.......................you know the exploding engine pylon bolts.

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YGBSM !

The 23RD FG C/C wouldn't be an \"Old 76th TFS\" Lt? We had a pilot my that name back in the day.

Goose

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\"Live Free Or Die\"

Goose, the 23rd FG CC is an old 76th pilot. You can see a copy of his bio at http://www.moody.af.mil/library/biograp ... p?id=10135

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Faugh ah Ballaugh ~ Clear the Way

That be him Alright, They just called him \"Dowd\" alot , he use to fly with another pilot Curtis all the time during the War and was up SCUD hunting when \"Curt\" nailed that MIG-25 in that building on the western front .

Well if he still got that same \"Spunk\" and \"Attitude\" for the Crewdawgs like he use too,Plus he was one of our \"Favorite Pilots \"
SIGN ME UP! I'd follow him to Hell!

He'll be a Good Commander


Goose

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\"Live Free Or Die\"