Moody Air Force Base
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| Moody Air Force Base | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| IATA: VAD - ICAO: KVAD | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Military | ||
| Operator | USAF | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 233 ft (71 m) | ||
| Coordinates | 30° 58' 4.2" N 83° 11' 34.8" W |
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| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 18L/36R | 9,300 | 2,835 | Concrete/Grooved |
| 18R/36L | 8,000 | 2,438 | PEM/Grooved |
Moody Air Force Base is the home of the United States Air Force 23d Wing located in Lowndes County, about 9 miles northeast of Valdosta, Georgia. The wing also hosts and supports Air Education and Training Command’s 479th Flying Training Group and Air Combat Command's 820th Security Forces Group in all operations.
Contents |
[edit] 23d Wing
The mission of the 23rd Wing is to organize, train and employ combat-ready A-10, HC-130, HH-60, pararescuemen and force protection assets. It consists of approximately 6,100 military and civilian personnel including geographically separated units (GSU) in Nevada, Arizona and North Carolina. The 23rd Wing is comprised of the following operational groups:
- 23d Fighter Group a GSU at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina (A/OA-10A)
- 347th Rescue Group (HH-60G, HC-130P)
- 563d Rescue Group a GSU at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
- 563d Rescue Group, Operating Location-Alpha, a GSU at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
Additionally there are 14 support squadrons.
The wing executes worldwide close air support, force protection, and combat search and rescue operations (CSAR) in support of humanitarian interests, United States national security and the global war on terrorism (GWOT). 23d Wing aircraft include:
- A-10 Thunderbolt II This is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. The twin-engine jet aircraft can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles.
- HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter This provides a combat search and rescue platform for the USAF through its ability to operate in a vast array of rescue scenarios.
- HC-130P This aircraft flies low-level missions into hostile territory to effect rescues and to provide air refueling for our rescue helicopters.
[edit] 23d Fighter Group
The 23rd Fighter Group - The Flying Tigers - is currently located at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. The group became part of the 23d Wing on 18 August 2006 in a ceremony held at Pope. The group consists of two A-10 squadrons, two maintenance squadrons, and an operational support squadron. It is scheduled to begin relocating to Moody AFB in 2007.
A/OA-10As of the 23d Fighter Group are tail coded "FT".
[edit] 347th Rescue Group
The 347th Rescue Group directs flying and maintenance of the only U.S. Air Force active-duty Operations Group dedicated to Combat Search and Rescue. Members assigned to the 347th RQG are responsible for training/readiness of 1,100 personnel, including a pararescue squadron, two flying squadrons (HC-130/HH-60) and an operations support squadron. The group also deploys worldwide in support of National Command Authority taskings and provides operational support for AETC tenant group (T-38/T-6).
[edit] 563rd Rescue Group
The 563rd Rescue Group is based at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, and an Operating Location at Nellis AFB, Nevada. The group consists of one HC-130 squadron, two HH-60 squadrons, two pararescue squadrons, and one operational support squadron.
[edit] 479th Flying Training Group
Air Education and Training Command's 479 FTG consists of three training squadrons. These are:
- 49th Flying Training Squadron
- 435th Flying Training Squadron
- 3d Flying Training Squadron
The 49th and 435th operate upgraded Northrup T-38C Talons for advanced pilot training, and the 3d operates Raytheon T-6 Texan IIs for for basic pilot training.
Along with the three training squadrons is the 479th Operations Support Squadron, which consists of a life support flight and physiological flight, providing training and mission essential support for the three flying squadrons. The Group conducts initial Joint Primary Aircraft Training (JPATS) and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) for the Air Force’s newest generation of aviators.
The 39th Flying Training Squadron, part of the Air Force Reserve Command and associated with the 479 FTG, provides reserve instructor pilots to augment their active duty counterparts.
[edit] 820th Security Forces Group
Air Combat Command's 820th Security Forces Group is a Force Protection unit which provides Air Force Expeditionary Groups self-sustaining Force Protection capability for initial U.S. “first-in” forces to any operating location in support of the Air Force Global Engagement mission.
The Group consists of three squadrons – the 822d Security Forces Squadron, which activated in September 2000, 823 SFS, which activated in January 2001 and 824th which activated in November
[edit] History
Moody Air Force Base was named in memory of Major George Putnam Moody, an Air Force pioneer killed in May 1941, while serving with the Beech Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. At the time of his death, Major Moody was working on the inspection board for the AT-10 transitional trainers that were later sent to Moody AFB.
The base had its beginning in 1940, when a group of concerned Valdosta and Lowndes County citizens began searching for a way to assist the expanding defense program. Careful investigation showed that the development of an air corp training base would be the best way to help the program. On 14 May 1941, the War Department was granted exclusive use of 9,300 acres of land by the Agriculture Department.
From its beginning Moody served as a pilot training base for thousands of Air Force pilots. For many years, the 3550th Pilot Training Wing under the Consolidated Pilot Training Program, trained Air Force officers as aircrew members.
In September 1963, the Northrop T-38 "Talon" arrived at Moody to replace the T-33. In 1965, the T-41A Cessna, a four-seat, single-engine, propeller-driven training aircraft arrived at Moody and replaced the T-28. These aircraft were used in the initial phases of student training. Students received about 30 hours of flight training in the T-41 before advancing to the T-37 primary jet trainer
On 1 December 1973, the 38th Flying Training Wing replaced and absorbed the resources of the 3550th Pilot Training Wing at Moody.
However, on 1 December 1975 the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing relocated to Moody from Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand and the mission of the base changed from pilot training under Air Training Command to an active tactial fighter base under Tactical Air Command. Operational tactical fighter squadrons at Moody were:
- 68th Tactical Fighter Squadron (red tail stripe)
- 69th Tactical Fighter Squadron (silver tail stripe)
- 70th Tactical Fighter Squadron (black/white checkered tail stripe)
The 347th flew the McDonnel-Douglas F-4E until 1988, upgrading to the Block 15 General Dynamics F-16A/B. In 1990 the wing upgraded again to the Block 40 F-16C/D. Moody won the Commander-in-Chief's Installation Excellence Award for 1991, and the 1994 Verne Orr Award, which is presented by the Air Force Association to the unit that most effectively uses human resources to accomplish its mission. In June 1997, the 347th TFW was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the eighth time in its illustrious history.
On 1 June 1992 the 347th TFW was assigned to the newly-activated Air Combat Command.
As a result of the August 1992 destruction of Homestead AFB Florida by Hurricane Andrew, the 31st Fighter Wing's 307th and 308th Fighter Squadrons were initially evacuated to Moody AFB prior to the hurricane making landfall. With Homstead unusable for an extended period after the hurricane, on 20 November the squadrons were permanently assigned to the 347th TFW. On 1 April 1994, the 308th FS was moved without personnel or equipment to the 56th Fighter Wig at Luke AFB, Arizona, replacing the 311th FS. The squadrons Block 40 F-16s were sent to USAFE.
On 1 July 1994, the Air Force converted the 347th Fighter Wing to the 347th Wing, a force projection, air/land composite wing. Squadrons of the 347th Wing were:
- 52d Airlift Squadron (C-130E) (green tail stripe)
Transferred from deactivated 63d MAW, Norton AFB, California 1 May 1994. Was a C-141B squadron at Norton. - 68th Fighter Squadron (F-16C/D) (red tail stripe - LANCERS)
- 69th Fighter Squadron (F-16C/D) (black tail stripe - WEREWOLVES)
- 70th Fighter Squadron (F-16C/D) (blue/white tail stripe)
- 307th Fighter Squadron (F-16C/D) (black tail stripe - STINGERS)
The 307th FS was inactivated on 31 August 1995 when F-16 operations at Moody were reduced in size.
On 1 April 1997 the 347th Wing added a search-and-rescue component with the addition of the 41st Rescue Squadron with HH-60G helicopters and the 71st Rescue Squadron with specialized HC-130P aircraft from Patrick AFB, Florida. To make room for these squadrons, the 52d Airlift Squadron was deactivated, with its C-130s being transferred to the 71st RS.
The F-16s of the 347th began to be transferred out as the "Composite Wing" concept ended at Moody. The 70th FS was deactivated on 30 June 2000. The 69th FS was deactivated on 2 February 2001, and the 68th FS was deactivated on 1 April. The F-16s were transferred to various active-duty, reserve and Air National Guard squadrons both in the CONUS as well as overseas.
On 1 May 2001, the 347th Wing stood down as a composite wing and stood up as the 347th Rescue Wing, becoming the Air Force's only active-duty combat search and rescue wing. The 347th RQW was transferred from ACC to the Air Force Special Operations Command on 1 October 2003.
The 479th Flying Training Group was activated at Moody on 1 October 2000 with the arrival of the 49th Flying Training Squadron (FTS) from Columbus AFB Mississippi. The 49th FTS flew AT-38Bs and T-38Cs. The squadron taught Introduction to Flight Fundamentals (IFF) training for new Undergraduate Pilot Trainees.
On 2 April 2001, the 479th FTG expanded to a second squadron with the activation of the 3d FTS, flying the T-6A. The 435th FTS transferred from Randolph AFB Texas on 1 October 2001 to become the third training squadron, equipped with T-38Cs.
On 29 September 2006, the 347th Rescue Wing was redesignated to the 23rd Wing as the 347th Rescue Group. Along with accepting the 23rd Wing designation, Moody AFB will accept the responsibility of carrying on the historic Flying Tiger's heritage. The 23d Fighter Group will transfer from Pope AFB North Carolina in 2007, bringing two operational A/OA-10 fighter squadrons to Moody.
[edit] BRAC 2005
- Moody AFB is expected to receive additional (12) A/OA-10A fighters from the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska as part of a realignment. Also realign the 23rd Fighter Group’s A-10 aircraft (36 aircraft) to Moody (Scheduled in 2007).
- Realign Moody by relocating base-level ALQ-184 intermediate maintenance to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.
[edit] Trivia
U.S. President George W. Bush trained as an Air Force pilot at Moody AFB. He trained at Moody beginning on 25 November 1968 to 28 November 1969. (UPT Course #P-V4A-A Moody AFB, Ga. 53 weeks November 1969)
The life of the African American personnel of the base was immortalized in the comedy monologue with music, "Callin' Moody Field" by Miss Peaches, a rhythm and blues hit in the late 1950s.
[edit] Geography
Moody AFB is located at (30.980083, -83.214246)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the base has a total area of 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²), all land.
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 993 people, 275 households, and 270 families residing in the base. The population density was 958.5/km² (2,452.6/mi²). There were 330 housing units at an average density of 318.5/km² (815.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the base was 69.49% White, 23.26% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.52% Asian, 0.40% Pacific Islander, 2.42% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.55% of the population.
There were 275 households out of which 85.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 89.5% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 1.8% were non-families. 1.1% of all households were made up of individuals and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.61 and the average family size was 3.63.
In the base the population was spread out with 45.3% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 44.1% from 25 to 44, 2.3% from 45 to 64, and 0.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 106.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.
The median income for a household in the base was $36,058, and the median income for a family was $36,058. Males had a median income of $25,758 versus $12,946 for females. The per capita income for the base was $11,452. About 2.8% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 USAF Reference Series, Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force, Washington, D.C., 1989
- Ravenstein, Charles A., Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977, Office of Air Force History, 1984
- Endicott, Judy G., USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995. Office of Air Force History
- Martin, Patrick, Tail Code: The Complete History Of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings, 1994
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
