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23d Fighter Group: Guardians of the Skies and Legacy of the Flying Tigers

The powerful forces within the United States Air Force include the 23rd Fighter Group, managing the largest A-10C fighter group. The elite unit is made up of two combat-ready A-10C squadrons and an operations support squadron that is responsible for ensuring combat training and readiness for over 90 pilots and 180 support personnel.

The history of the 23rd FG traces its roots back to the 23rd Pursuit Group (Interceptor), established at Langley Field, Virginia, on December 17, 1941. Just ten days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Brigadier General Claire L. Chennault was recalled to active duty to assume command of the Air Task Force, later the 14th Air Force. The 23d FG was one of the larger components of the CATF and was initially assigned three squadrons: the 74th, 75th, and 76th.

The group absorbed the mission of the AVG, popularly known as the “Flying Tigers.” Five of Chennault’s staff officers, five pilots, and 19 ground crewmen transferred to the new 23d FG during this reorganization. Many of the former AVG members, some in civilian status, volunteered to fly in the group while others returned later to duty with the Army Air Corps in the Burma-India Theater. It was not only the operational responsibilities of the AVG that passed to the 23rd FG but also a wealth of knowledge and experience and the respected nickname of that disbanded unit.

The Flying Tigers flew different fighter aircraft from various bases after World War II, being inactivated and activated numerous times. The 23d FG was reactivated on June 1, 1992, at Pope AFB, N.C., as part of a composite wing when Air Combat Command was formed. By April 1997, the wing changed to a single-type fighter group under the Objective Wing Structure flying the A-10; it routinely deploys to Southwest Asia for missions such as Southern Watch.

The historic 23d FG became the first fighter aircraft to land inside Afghanistan in Mar 2002, in support of the Sept 11, 2001, attacks. Deploying from Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait to a classified location and then to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, the group supported Operations:

In 2007, the 23d FG moved from Pope to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The change in locations also saw all 23d FG A-10s upgraded to the precision engagement A-10C variant. In 2008 and 2009, the 75th and 74th Fighter Squadrons respectively took their first A-10Cs into combat, deploying to Afghanistan. Both squadrons provided close air support to forces on the ground as well as conducting sorties to strike at Taliban and insurgent strongholds accumulating over 23,000 combined combat hours.

The 23d FG draws its heritage from Lt. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault and the original Flying Tigers. A source of pride for defenders of peace and a strong deterrent to those who would commit aggression.

74th Fighter Squadron: Moody’s combat-ready A-10C Thunderbolt II squadrons, with 35 pilots committed to close air support missions. The A-10 is widely recognized for its lengthy loiter time, precise weapons delivery, austere field capability, and survivability.

75th Fighter Squadron: Like the 74th, this squadron possesses close to 35 pilots dedicated to flying close air support missions in the A-10C Thunderbolt II.

23d Operations Support Squadron: This squadron consists of approximately 170 personnel in performing vital support functions: intelligence, training, weapons and tactics, aircrew flight equipment, simulation, medical, mobility, flying hour program management, and Host Aviation Resource Management.

The 23rd Fighter Group remains a source of strength and readiness amid global turmoil, basking in the rich legacy of the Flying Tigers.

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