347th RQW absorbs units, transitions to 23rd WG

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Russell Wicke
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) --  The 23rd Fighter Group at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., will become part of the 347th Rescue Wing at Moody AFB, Ga., in a ceremony scheduled for Aug. 18 at Pope.

This fighter group, made up of A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, is scheduled to begin relocating to Georgia in mid 2007, said Col. Joe Callahan, 347th RQW commander.

The reorganization is a result of the Base Realignment and Closure plan - designed, in part, to mitigate Air Force hardship from the shrinking budget. It's expected to streamline rescue operations by locating A-10s in ACC with rescue assets at Moody, like HH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopters and HC-130 Hercules aircraft. Moody will also gain six A-10 authorizations from Eielson AFB, Alaska, and Bradley Air National Guard Base, Conn.

The A-10s expected to come from Eielson are part of the 355th Fighter Squadron, scheduled to deactivate in fiscal 2007 under BRAC, according to Steven Emery, ACC Combat Forces Branch program analyst. Bradley's A-10s are part of the 118th Fighter Squadron, which is also scheduled to deactivate. The A-10s will stand up their mission at Moody in place of the 479th Flying Training Group, which is also deactivating.

These aircraft, which are designed for close-air support, are woven tightly into rescue operations. A-10s are involved in the combat search and rescue mission by neutralizing enemy threats to friendly survivors on the ground, according to Maj. TC Coiner, ACC A-10 realistic training manager. These aircraft can engage with a 30mm Gatling gun, unique only to A-10s. The gun allows the A-10 to fire on enemy targets with precision in close proximity to friendly forces. Major Coiner said they can also employ a variety of munitions, including Maverick missiles, bombs, rockets and cluster munitions. In addition, A-10s are used to escort the HH-60 helicopters and HC-130s during rescue operations.

The A-10s of the 23rd FG carry the name and heritage of the renowned Flying Tigers, which fought against the Japanese in World War II. The unit earned fame by advancing tactically against Japan's multiple successes early in the war.

"These changes will allow us to use our resources more efficiently and effectively, while honoring the long and distinguished heritage of the Flying Tigers," said Gen. Ronald Keys, ACC Commander.

To preserve the heritage of the Flying Tigers, the 347th RQW will deactivate and the 23rd Wing will activate in its place Oct. 1. Moody will be the host base of the 23rd Wing, adopting the banner of the Flying Tigers. The rescue mission will remain with the wing.

The 347th RQW, soon to be the 23rd Wing, is the only active-duty combat search and rescue wing in the Air Force. However, other units and missions are scheduled to fall under the 23rd Wing, enlarging it significantly.

The wing at Moody will also assume operational control of the 820th Security Forces Group. This group currently reports directly to the 9th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Gary North. Furthermore, the 563rd and 763rd Maintenance Squadrons, currently reporting to the 563rd Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., are scheduled to fall under the 347th Maintenance Group at Moody.