VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - Moody Air Force Base activated the 23rd Combat Air Base Squadron (CABS) during a ceremony on Monday, Sept. 15.

Leaders at Moody say this new squadron makes major step in Air Force’s effort to modernize how it organizes, trains, and deploys.

Chief Master Sgt. Patrick Meade said, “It gives us an organic capability where we have everything we need in one central location and we have the ability to take what we have here to go to any other location we need to so that’s the stark difference.”

In addition, training together year-round builds familiarity and strengthens the unit. With more than 65 different jobs under one command, Airmen can respond faster and more effectively to global threats.

During Monday’s ceremony, Colonel Sean Hall, 23rd Wing Commander commissioned Lt. Colonel Justin L. May as the first 23rd CABS commander.

“This communicates to the community a new mission starting here at Moody and I really can’t think of a better place to do it,” May said. “Where you have this massive outpouring of support for the military in the community already but then you have this new mission. You won’t see me replace anybody because it’s activation ceremony the first of its kind and the first in the Air Force.”

He said this is a task he is ready to perform as soon as possible.

“There are all these different jobs that I’m responsible to lead and that makes us somewhat self sustaining meant to sustain a 2,500 person deployable combat wing so it’s very unique what we’re going to be doing and what we are deployed to do,” May said.

Moody leaders say the Flying Tigers are ready to adapt and lead the future of Air Force operations.

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