23d Fighter Group

Sixty-one years after the beginning of the 23d Fighter Group, the Flying Tigers continue to uphold their superior reputation. The 23d Fighter Group directs the flying and maintenance operations for the USAF's largest A/OA-10 unit, consisting of two combat-ready A/OA-10 squadrons, an operational support squadron and two maintenance squadrons. The group ensures overall combat training and readiness for over 100 pilots and 800 maintenance and support personnel. 

One year following Operation ALLIED FORCE, the 23d Fighter Group went back to supporting Operation SOUTHERN WATCH enforcing the southern no-fly zone. The A-10s flew a variety of missions, including close air support, combat search and rescue and joint maritime operations. 

On June 27, 2000 the 23d Fighter Group was once again reassigned from the 347th Fighter Wing at Moody AFB in Georgia to the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson, AFB, North Carolina. The Flying Tigers are currently under the leadership of Brigadier General (S) Eric J. Rosborg, Commander of the 4th Fighter Wing, and Colonel Vincent P. Wisniewski, Commander of the 23d Fighter Group.

In March of 2002 the United States called upon the Flying Tigers to help fight the war on terrorism in Operation ANACONDA in Afghanistan. The 23d Fighter Group launched from Al Jaber, AB, Kuwait and landed in a classified location after flying a 14-hour Combat Mission. On March 25th the 23d Fighter Group became the first fixed-wing aircraft stationed in Afghanistan. For nearly six months, the 23d Fighter Group personnel operated simultaneously in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. During this time the 23d Fighter Group flew 2,148 combat missions over Afghanistan and Iraq. 

On April 15, 2002, one of the 75th Fighter Squadron A-10s passed the 9,000-hour flying mark making it the most traveled fighter aircraft in USAF history.

The 23d Fighter Group will continue to carry on the tradition of the first and foremost Flying Tiger, Lieutenant General Claire Lee Chennault, who passed away on July 7, 1958 at the age of 67. The Flying Tiger legend lives on as a beacon of pride to those committed to peace, and as a threat to those who would unsheathe the terrible sword of aggression.

23d AMXS

23d AMXS

The 23^d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) was established on 1 October 2002 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Melvin as the USAF returned to a "back to basics" compliance-oriented maintenance philosophy that supports the Combat Wing Organization. The 23^d AMXS was created from the maintenance elements of the 74^th and 75^th Fighter Squadrons (FS), which recently operated out of Kuwait and Afghanistan during "War on Terrorism’. The 74 FS and 75 FS maintenance elements became aircraft maintenance units (AMU)s under the 23 AMXS.

The men and women of the 23 AMXS continues the legacy of the 23^rd Organizational Maintenance Squadron (28 June 1964 – 1 November 1966, 1 July 1972 – 7 June 1977), the 23^d Aircraft Generation Squadron (7 June 1977 – 1 June 1992) and all Flying Tiger Maintainers of the past. They are willing to accept any sacrifice to keep the aircraft flying and to take the fight to the enemy.

23d OSS

The 23d Operations Support Squadron traces its roots back to the original 23d Fighter Group who inherited the mission of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers" in July 1942. Constituted as the 23d Depot Repair Squadron on 5 January 1942, the unit supported Flying Tiger operations throughout the China-Burma-India theater of operations. The 23d Depot Repair Squadron was inactivated on 5 November 1945, two months after the United States victory over Japan.

On 1 June 1992, the 23d Depot Repair Squadron was reconstituted and redesignated the 23d Operations Support Squadron as part of the 23d Wing at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. On 1 April 1997, the 23d Wing was deactivated and the 23 OSS once again became part of the 23d Fighter Group. The Group remained at Pope Air Force base and was aligned under the 347^th Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. On 20 June 2000, the 23d Fighter Group realigned under the 4^th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

Members of the 23d Operations Support Squadron have deployed around the world, participating in Operations PROVIDE RELIEF, UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, VIGILANT WARRIOR, NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and most recently Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Today, 23 OSS personnel provide unmatched intelligence, weapons and tactics, life support, training and scheduling support to the 23d Fighter Group’s A-10 attack aircraft.

The 23d Operations Support Squadron "Eye of the Tiger" patch you see today also traces its history back to the original AVG "Flying Tigers." Blue and yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow represents the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The tiger reaching over the horizon of the globe signifies the global reach of the Flying Tigers and reflects the significant support the unit provides. The aggressive action of the tiger reflects the squadron’s constant state of military preparedness. The aircraft denotes the support to the multiple types of aircraft throughout the squadron’s history.