5 Shocking New Missions And Developments Transforming Moody Air Force Base In 2025
Moody Air Force Base (AFB), home of the legendary “Flying Tigers,” is undergoing a rapid and significant transformation in late 2025, solidifying its role as a critical hub for combat-ready airpower and specialized ground operations. This pivotal moment marks a major shift in the base’s strategic importance, moving beyond its traditional rescue and attack mission to embrace next-generation fighter technology and a new, agile combat readiness structure.
The latest updates, current as of December 2025, reveal a base actively modernizing its infrastructure, integrating new aircraft, and training for the complex demands of future warfare. From the arrival of the F-35 Lightning II to the activation of new combat squadrons, the developments at Moody AFB near Valdosta, Georgia, signal a massive investment in its future capabilities.
Leadership and Key Personnel Profile (December 2025)
The 23rd Wing, the host unit at Moody AFB, recently welcomed a new commander, setting the strategic direction for the base’s current and future missions. Below is a list of the key leadership figures and their roles, reflecting the most recent changes in late 2025:
- Colonel SEAN P. HALL: Commander, 23rd Wing
- Current Role: Commander of the 23rd Wing, known as the "Flying Tigers."
- Appointment Date: Assumed command from Col. Paul "Gyro" Sheets during a change of command ceremony on July 31, 2025.
- Background: A Command Pilot with over 3,400 flight hours, Col. Hall is tasked with leading the Wing's primary mission: Attack, Rescue, and Prevail to Win Today’s Fight.
- Vision: Outlined a strategic direction focused on leading the historic wing into the future.
- Colonel MEGAN F. HALL: Commander, 820th Base Defense Group (BDG)
- Current Role: Commands the 820th BDG, a crucial unit for integrated defense.
- Appointment Date: August 2025 – Present.
- Awards: Recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
- Colonel John Blocher: Commander, 93d Air Ground Operations Wing (AGOW)
- Current Role: Leads the 93d AGOW, which provides air-ground integration and combat weather operations.
- JEREMY C. SCHONEBOOM: Command Chief, 23rd Wing
- Current Role: Senior Enlisted Advisor to the 23rd Wing Commander.
The F-35 Lightning II: Moody’s Game-Changing New Mission
Perhaps the most significant development at Moody AFB is the planned beddown of the Air Force's newest fifth-generation fighter: the F-35A Lightning II. This change will fundamentally alter the base’s profile and capability for decades to come.
The U.S. Air Force has officially announced plans to conduct an environmental impact study (EIS) to facilitate the arrival of two full squadrons of the F-35A. This new mission is projected to add approximately 500 personnel to the installation, significantly boosting the economic and military presence in the Valdosta, Georgia, area. The F-35, with its stealth capabilities, advanced sensor fusion, and supersonic speed, will integrate with Moody’s current fleet of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, HC-130J Combat King II transport/refueling planes, and HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters, creating a multi-domain combat force.
This strategic decision to bring the F-35 to Moody AFB underscores the Air Force's commitment to modernizing its combat air forces and preparing for high-end conflicts. The base will evolve from a primary hub for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and close air support (CAS) to a diversified launch point for advanced fighter operations.
Recent Readiness and Infrastructure Updates (Late 2025)
The "Flying Tigers" have not slowed down in their operational tempo, with recent activities demonstrating a clear focus on Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and increased combat readiness. These exercises and infrastructure improvements showcase a base designed to operate in contested environments.
1. Activation of the 23rd Combat Air Base Squadron (CABS)
In a major step toward the Air Force’s future force structure, Moody AFB activated the 23rd Combat Air Base Squadron (CABS) on September 15, 2025. This activation is part of a broader Air Force initiative to build cohesive, mission-ready units capable of rapidly deploying and sustaining operations from austere or contested locations. The CABS is designed to be a highly mobile and self-sufficient unit that can quickly establish and defend forward operating sites, aligning directly with the principles of ACE.
2. Deployable Combat Wing Candidate Status
Moody AFB has been identified as one of five candidate locations across the Air Force to establish a Deployable Combat Wing. This designation confirms Moody's strategic value and its role in testing and implementing the Air Force’s future combat concepts. The Deployable Combat Wing concept centers on creating an agile, smaller force package that can be rapidly moved and employed anywhere in the world, a direct evolution from the base's existing expeditionary mindset.
3. Real-World Training and Exercises
The 23rd Wing conducted a major combat readiness exercise in November 2025, focusing on the ability to generate combat sorties and maintain aircraft even while operating from cut-off or degraded bases. This training is vital for preparing Airmen to execute their mission under challenging, near-peer conditions. Furthermore, the base’s rescue assets, including the 23rd Wing, participated in the PR Pulse Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) training during the large-scale exercise Mosaic Tiger 26-1 in late November 2025, ensuring their readiness to recover personnel from hostile territory.
4. Post-Hurricane Helene Hangar Renovations
Infrastructure readiness remains a top priority. On December 2, 2025, Moody AFB completed major hangar renovations on a facility that was damaged by Hurricane Helene the previous year. This meticulous coordination and repair effort, involving the 71st Rescue Generation Squadron, was crucial for restoring full operational capacity and increasing the Wing's overall readiness to shelter and maintain its aircraft fleet.
Future Outlook and Strategic Importance
Moody Air Force Base is clearly positioned at the forefront of the Air Force's modernization efforts. The transition to hosting the F-35 Lightning II will require significant investment and training, but it promises to elevate the base’s strategic importance globally. The continued emphasis on the 93d Air Ground Operations Wing (AGOW) and the new 23rd Combat Air Base Squadron highlights the shift toward integrated, agile, and self-sufficient combat forces.
The base remains a cornerstone of the Combat Air Force, with its specialized units—like the 820th Base Defense Group—providing crucial security and integrated defense capabilities. As the Air Force continues to evolve its doctrine, Moody AFB stands ready as a proving ground for the next generation of airpower, ensuring the "Flying Tigers" mission to attack, rescue, and prevail continues well into the future.
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