Page 79 - Combat Aircraft (January 2020)

HE 23rd WING at Moody AFB, tail of the A-10. It also features the
Georgia, is the latest to paint Disney-designed ‘Flying Tiger’ on the
a ‘heritage jet’, with A-10C engine nacelles.
serial 80-0241/FT ingeniously On July 4, 1942, the 23rd Fighter Group
incorporating some unit was established by the Army Air Forces at
Thistory with ‘European One’ Kunming, China. It immediately absorbed
camouflage on its vertical stabilizers. the American Volunteer Group, and the
The 23rd Wing’s exploits are well squadron designations were changed
documented with its origins in the to the 74th, 75th and 76th Fighter
American Volunteer Group, led by Col Squadrons. This is represented on the
Claire Lee Chennault who commanded fin band of the aircraft with the three
100 P-40 Warhawks at the beginning current squadrons, all currently serving
of World War Two. It was dubbed the at Moody. The ‘European One’ colors hark
‘Flying Tigers’ and consisted of the 1st back to the standard A-10 camouflage of
Pursuit Squadron ‘Adam and Eve’, the the 1980s.
2nd PS ‘Panda Bears’, and the 3rd PS
‘Hell’s Angels’, all of which are honored The author wishes to thank SSgt Nicholas Alder
of the 23rd Wing for his assistance.
with their respective patches on the

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