23rd Fighter Group

23rd Fighter Group. The 23rd Fighter Group is a legendary combat aviation unit of the United States Air Force, currently assigned to the 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base. Its lineage and iconic "Flying Tigers" nickname are directly inherited from the famed American Volunteer Group that fought in China during the early days of World War II. Throughout its extensive service, the group has participated in major conflicts across multiple continents, operating a variety of advanced fighter aircraft.

History

The group was constituted on 6 December 1942, inheriting the personnel, mission, and spirit of the disbanded American Volunteer Group. Activated in China under the China Air Task Force and later the Fourteenth Air Force, it continued the air war against Japan over the treacherous terrain of the China Burma India Theater. Following World War II, the unit was briefly inactivated before being reactivated in 1946 at Northwest Field on Guam. During the Korean War, the group flew combat missions from multiple bases in Japan and South Korea, providing crucial close air support. After several periods of inactivation and reactivation, the group was consolidated with the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing in 1985 and has since served as the flying component of the 23rd Wing, deploying frequently to combat zones in the Middle East and Southwest Asia.

Aircraft

The group's initial combat aircraft was the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, the same type famously flown by the American Volunteer Group. During the latter stages of World War II, it transitioned to the formidable North American P-51 Mustang. In the jet age, the group operated the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star and the Republic F-84 Thunderjet during the Korean War. For much of the Cold War, it was equipped with the versatile Republic F-105 Thunderchief and later the sophisticated General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Since 1996, its primary aircraft has been the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, a dedicated close air support platform renowned for its durability and firepower.

Assignments

The group has been assigned to numerous higher headquarters throughout its history. Its initial assignments were to the China Air Task Force and the Fourteenth Air Force. Post-war assignments included the Pacific Air Forces and the Tactical Air Command. Since the 1992 reorganization, it has been a key component of the Air Combat Command. Its primary assignment for decades has been to the 23rd Wing, which itself falls under the Fifteenth Air Force and the Ninth Air Force at various times, supporting the United States Central Command and other combatant commands.

Stations

The group's first operational station was at Kunming in China. Other significant World War II bases included Hengyang and Luliang. After the war, it was stationed at Northwest Field on Guam and later at Howard Air Force Base in the Panama Canal Zone. During the Korean War, it operated from Itazuke Air Base and Taegu Air Base. Since 1975, its home has been Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, from which it has deployed squadrons to forward operating locations such as Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base in Kuwait and Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.

Commanders

Notable commanders have included decorated pilots from its inception. The first commander was Colonel Robert L. Scott Jr., a celebrated ace and author of *God is My Co-Pilot*. He was succeeded by Colonel John R. Alison, another ace and pioneer of air commando operations. Later commanders have included leaders who guided the unit through the transition to jet aircraft and modern conflicts, with command tenures typically lasting one to two years. Commanders have often been veterans of previous conflicts, bringing extensive tactical experience to the group.

Campaigns and decorations

The group's campaign participation credits span seven decades. In World War II, it earned campaign streamers for China Defensive and the China Offensive. During the Korean War, it participated in the UN Defensive and CCF Intervention campaigns. It has also been credited for service in the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and the more recent Global War on Terrorism expeditions. Its honors include multiple Presidential Unit Citations for extraordinary heroism in World War II and the Korean War, several Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with valor devices, and numerous Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations.