23rd Fighter Group
The 23rd Fighter Group is an active United States Air Force operations group based at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, with World War II origins and a continuing association with the Flying Tigers legacy.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
The 23rd Fighter Group is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. Although it is a military organization rather than a commercial brand, it has a distinctive institutional identity built around its combat lineage, the heritage of the American Volunteer Group commonly known as the Flying Tigers, and the shark-teeth aircraft markings associated with that history. The group was created in China during World War II. Its lineage began with the 23rd Pursuit Group, constituted in December 1941 and redesignated the 23rd Fighter Group before activation. The unit was activated on 4 July 1942 at Kunming as part of the China Air Task Force. It inherited much of the operational role of the disbanded American Volunteer Group, including personnel, aircraft, tactical knowledge, and responsibility for defending the Chinese end of the supply route over the Himalayas, known as the Hump. The unit operated initially with Curtiss P-40 Warhawks and later converted to North American P-51 Mustangs. During the China-Burma-India Theater campaign, the group conducted air defense, close support, interdiction, fighter-bomber, and escort missions over China and neighboring areas. It developed innovative attack methods, including the use of P-40 aircraft carrying heavy bombs against bridges and transportation targets. Its operations during the Japanese offensive in the Hsiang Valley in June 1944 earned the group a Distinguished Unit Citation. By the end of the war, the group reported more than 24,000 combat sorties and extensive air-to-air and ground attack results. It returned to the United States in December 1945 and was inactivated at Fort Lewis, Washington, in January 1946. The unit was reactivated in Guam in October 1946 and became part of the United States Air Force when that service was established as an independent branch in September 1947. It later served in the Panama Canal Zone, where it performed air-defense duties, before another series of activations and inactivations under Air Defense Command. During the 1950s it operated aircraft including the North American F-86 Sabre and Northrop F-89 Scorpion, and it assumed host-base support responsibilities at Presque Isle Air Force Base, Maine. The group was inactivated in 1959 as the base's mission shifted toward Strategic Air Command operations. In 1992, the organization returned as the 23rd Operations Group at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. This incarnation controlled a mixed portfolio of fighter and airlift units. Its aircraft supported humanitarian relief in Somalia, Florida, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Sarajevo, and participated in contingency planning connected with Haiti's Operation Uphold Democracy. In 1994, the group also took part in Operation Vigilant Warrior, rapidly deploying aircraft and personnel to the Persian Gulf after Iraqi forces massed near Kuwait. The 75th Fighter Squadron subsequently became the first United States fixed-wing unit stationed in Kuwait after the Gulf War. The group was redesignated the 23rd Fighter Group in 1997 and assigned to the 347th Wing at Moody while remaining geographically separated at Pope. On 1 October 2006, it was reactivated at Moody as an operations group of the 23rd Wing. Its two operational squadrons, the 74th and 75th Fighter Squadrons, fly Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft and support forward air control, close air support, air interdiction, and combat search and rescue missions. The group is authorized to preserve the Flying Tigers visual tradition through shark-teeth nose art and the FT tail code. These markings distinguish its aircraft within the United States Air Force and connect the current unit to the 1942 China-based organization. In June 2023, the Air Force announced that two F-35A Lightning II squadrons were planned for Moody Air Force Base from 2029, with the new aircraft intended to replace the group's A-10C fleet. The transition creates an important future change in the group's equipment and mission presentation while leaving its historical lineage intact.
History
The lineage of the 23rd Fighter Group dates to the 23rd Pursuit Group, constituted by the United States Army Air Forces on 17 December 1941. It was redesignated the 23rd Fighter Group on 15 May 1942 and activated in China on 4 July 1942. This activation took place on a combat theater rather than at a conventional training base and made the organization one of the earliest American fighter units established directly in a World War II operational area. The group became part of the China Air Task Force under Brigadier General Claire L. Chennault. It absorbed a small cadre of personnel from the American Volunteer Group, the organization popularly remembered as the Flying Tigers, after that unit was disbanded. Former AVG personnel contributed pilots, ground crew, and operational experience, while the new group assumed responsibility for air defense and offensive missions in China. It initially operated Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, including aircraft associated with the AVG and later aircraft transferred from the 51st Fighter Group. The 74th, 75th, and 76th Fighter Squadrons formed its principal wartime components. From 1942 through 1945, the 23rd Fighter Group operated across China, Burma, French Indochina, and other areas of the China-Burma-India Theater. It defended the Chinese terminus of the Hump supply route, attacked Japanese airfields and transport networks, escorted aircraft, and provided direct support to Chinese ground forces. The group's fighter-bomber tactics included the use of P-40s carrying large bombs, informally described as B-40s, against bridges and other infrastructure. In November 1943, the group began converting to the P-51 Mustang, improving its range and performance. One of its most prominent campaigns occurred during the Japanese advance through the Hsiang Valley in Hunan from 17 to 25 June 1944. Despite difficult weather and intense ground fire, the group repeatedly attacked Japanese troops, vehicles, and supply movements while supporting Chinese forces. The action resulted in a Distinguished Unit Citation. In 1945, the group continued offensive operations against Japanese forces, including attacks on retreating columns. The group left the theater in December 1945 and was inactivated at Fort Lewis, Washington, on 5 January 1946. It was reactivated at Guam on 10 October 1946, replacing the 21st Fighter Group and operating the long-range P-47N Thunderbolt. The group became part of the independent United States Air Force in September 1947. In 1948 it was assigned to the 23rd Fighter Wing under the wing-base organizational structure and moved with that wing to Howard Air Force Base in the Panama Canal Zone in April 1949. It performed canal air-defense duties before being inactivated later that year. The organization returned in January 1951 as the 23rd Fighter-Interceptor Group at Presque Isle Air Force Base, Maine, under Air Defense Command. It operated F-86 Sabre aircraft and later, after the Project Arrow restoration program, returned to the active list as the 23rd Fighter Group (Air Defense) in August 1955. At Presque Isle, its squadrons flew Northrop F-89 Scorpions, including the F-89H variant equipped for the AIR-2 Genie air-to-air rocket. The group also carried host-base responsibilities through support and maintenance organizations. It was inactivated on 1 July 1959 as Presque Isle's role changed. The group was redesignated the 23rd Tactical Fighter Group in 1985 but remained inactive until its reactivation as the 23rd Operations Group on 1 June 1992 at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. During the 1990s, its responsibilities extended beyond fighter combat. C-130 Hercules aircraft supported relief operations in Somalia, responded to Hurricane Andrew, delivered supplies to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and flew missions into Sarajevo. The group also supported planning for the Haiti intervention known as Operation Uphold Democracy and rapidly deployed aircraft and personnel to the Persian Gulf during Operation Vigilant Warrior in 1994. In 1996, the 74th Fighter Squadron transferred its F-16C/D aircraft and received A-10 aircraft, giving the group two A-10 squadrons. The 23rd Operations Group was inactivated on 1 April 1997 and replaced by a reorganized 23rd Fighter Group associated with the 23rd Wing. The organization was again activated at Moody Air Force Base on 1 October 2006, where it remains assigned to the 23rd Wing. Its current operational structure includes the 74th and 75th Fighter Squadrons, both equipped with A-10C aircraft. The group's missions include forward air control, close air support, air interdiction, and support to combat search and rescue. The group and wing maintain the Flying Tigers heritage through the use of shark-teeth nose art and the FT tail code. In 2023, the Air Force announced plans to base two F-35 squadrons at Moody beginning in 2029, signaling a future transition away from the A-10 platform.
- 2023
Planned F-35 transition
[1]The Air Force announced plans for two F-35 Lightning II squadrons to be based at Moody from 2029, replacing the group's A-10C aircraft.
- 2006
Reactivation at Moody Air Force Base
[1]The 23rd Fighter Group was reactivated at Moody Air Force Base on 1 October as an operations group of the 23rd Wing.
- 1996
Second A-10 squadron established
[1]The 74th Fighter Squadron transitioned from F-16C/D aircraft to A-10 aircraft, giving the group two A-10 squadrons.
- 1994
Operation Vigilant Warrior deployment
[1]The group deployed 56 aircraft and approximately 1,500 personnel to the Persian Gulf after Iraqi forces massed near Kuwait.
- 1992
Reactivation as 23rd Operations Group
[1]The organization was reactivated at Pope Air Force Base as the 23rd Operations Group to control the flying units of the 23rd Wing.
- 1955
Project Arrow reactivation
[1]The group returned to active status at Presque Isle under the Air Defense Command's Project Arrow restoration program.
- 1947
Transfer to the United States Air Force
[1]The group became part of the independent United States Air Force when the service was established on 18 September.
- 1946
Reactivation in Guam
[1]The group was reactivated at Guam on 10 October and assigned to the Twentieth Air Force with P-47N Thunderbolts.
- 1944
Hsiang Valley operations
[1]Operations supporting Chinese forces during the Japanese offensive in Hunan from 17 to 25 June earned the group a Distinguished Unit Citation.
- 1943
Conversion to P-51 Mustangs
[1]The group began converting from P-40 Warhawks to North American P-51 Mustang aircraft, expanding its fighter and fighter-bomber capability.
Products and positioning
An active USAF combat-operations group positioned around close air support, forward air control, interdiction, expeditionary operations, and the preservation of a highly recognizable Flying Tigers heritage.
Attack aircraft
A-10C Thunderbolt II
The group's current primary aircraft platform. Operated by the 74th and 75th Fighter Squadrons, the A-10C supports close air support, forward air control, and air interdiction missions. The fleet is planned for replacement by F-35 aircraft at Moody Air Force Base from 2029.
Fighter and fighter-bomber aircraft · 1942
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
The group's principal World War II aircraft during its formation in China. P-40s were used for air defense, fighter engagements, ground attack, and bridge interdiction, including heavily armed aircraft informally described as B-40s.
Fighter aircraft · 1943
North American P-51 Mustang
The group began converting to the P-51 in November 1943. The aircraft increased the unit's range and capability for escort, air combat, and fighter-bomber operations in the China-Burma-India Theater.
Interceptor aircraft · 1955
Northrop F-89 Scorpion
The group operated F-89 aircraft during its 1950s Air Defense Command period at Presque Isle. Later F-89H aircraft carried the AIR-2 Genie air-to-air rocket.
Multirole fighter aircraft
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Two F-35 squadrons are planned for Moody Air Force Base from 2029. The announced basing plan is intended to replace the A-10C capability currently associated with the group and the wider wing.
Marketing campaigns
- 1994Operation Uphold Democracy
Haiti
The group's C-130s were prepared to support a large airborne operation involving the 82nd Airborne Division, while A-10 aircraft were positioned for close air support.
Outcome. The invasion force was recalled after Haiti's president resigned; the planned airborne assault did not proceed as originally intended.
- 1994Operation Vigilant Warrior
Kuwait · Persian Gulf
The group conducted a rapid composite-wing deployment after Iraqi troops massed near Kuwait, moving aircraft and personnel to the Persian Gulf region.
Outcome. The 75th Fighter Squadron later operated from Al Jaber Air Base and became the first United States fixed-wing unit stationed in Kuwait since the Gulf War.
- 1992Operation Provide Relief
Somalia · Kenya
C-130 aircraft and crews deployed to Mombasa, Kenya, to deliver food and other relief supplies to small airstrips in Somalia.
Outcome. The deployment supported international humanitarian relief efforts in Somalia.
- 1944Hsiang Valley defense
China
From 17 to 25 June, the group repeatedly attacked Japanese forces and transportation while supporting Chinese troops during the Japanese advance in Hunan.
Outcome. The action contributed to the defense of Chinese positions and earned the group a Distinguished Unit Citation.
- 1942China Air Task Force operations
China · Burma · French Indochina
The newly activated group inherited the Flying Tigers' operational role and defended the Chinese terminus of the Hump route while conducting fighter, escort, and ground-attack missions.
Outcome. The group became a major American fighter formation in the China-Burma-India Theater and preserved the Flying Tigers association.
Brand decisions
2023
Planned replacement of A-10C aircraft with F-35sGeneration changeBackground
The Air Force announced a future plan to base two F-35 Lightning II squadrons at Moody Air Force Base, where the 23rd Fighter Group operates A-10C aircraft.
Action taken
The planned transition is scheduled to begin in 2029 and would replace the group's current A-10 platform with the F-35.
Aftermath
The plan indicates a substantial future change in aircraft type and combat capability, although the precise organizational effect on the 23rd Fighter Group is not specified in the reference material.
Recent events
- 2023
Air Force announces future F-35 basing at Moody Air Force Base[1]
Product generation
The United States Air Force announced that two F-35 Lightning II squadrons were planned for Moody Air Force Base from 2029. The aircraft are intended to replace the 23rd Fighter Group's A-10C Thunderbolt II fleet.
Sources1 sources
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