Moody Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Valdosta, Georgia
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Moody Air Force Base is located approximately 10 miles north of Valdosta, Georgia, in the heart of the South Georgia coastal plain. Home of the 23rd Wing – the “Flying Tigers” – Moody is the Air Force Combat Command’s premier close air support and combat search and rescue installation, operating the A-10C Thunderbolt II and HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter. The 23rd Wing carries on the legacy of General Claire Chennault’s legendary Flying Tigers of World War II. Moody AFB was established in 1941 and named for Major George P. Moody, a pilot killed in a 1941 training accident at Lakeland, Florida.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Conduct close air support (CAS), combat search and rescue (CSAR), and personnel recovery operations; train A-10C and HH-60W crews for Air Combat Command and the joint force.
Major Units: 23rd Wing (host wing, “Flying Tigers”); 347th Rescue Group (HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue); 75th Fighter Squadron (A-10C Thunderbolt II); 74th Fighter Squadron (A-10C); 38th Rescue Squadron (HH-60W)
Tenant Units: Air Force Reserve 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing; 820th Base Defense Group; various Air Combat Command support elements

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Valdosta, GA (population approximately 57,000) – approximately 10 miles south; Tallahassee, FL – approximately 75 miles west; Savannah, GA – approximately 175 miles northeast
Nearest Commercial Airport: Valdosta Regional Airport (VLD) – approximately 5 miles from downtown Valdosta; approximately 15 miles from base
Gate Access: Main gate on Inner Perimeter Road off US-221; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 5,000
Family Members: Approximately 7,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 2,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 14,000

Key Facilities

Medical: 23rd Medical Group Clinic; primary care, dental, behavioral health, and flight medicine; specialty referrals to South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta or Tallahassee Memorial Hospital in FL
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES exchange and facilities
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; outdoor pool; golf course (Swamp Fox Golf Course); bowling; auto skills; outdoor recreation (fishing, hunting, proximity to Florida beaches and Okefenokee Swamp); Lake Park/Lake area activities
Schools: Lowndes County School System and Valdosta City Schools serve military families; no DoDEA schools; Lowndes County schools are well-regarded; Valdosta State University provides education and spouse employment opportunities
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Privatized housing on base; managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; mix of family housing neighborhoods; condition generally good; on-base housing is popular given reasonable quality and proximity to gate
Average Wait Time: 30-60 days typical; Valdosta off-post housing is affordable and abundant
Off-Post Housing: Valdosta, Lake Park, Hahira, and Dasher are popular communities; average rent approximately $1,100-$1,700/month for 3-bedroom home; South Georgia is very affordable; no state income tax on military pay in Georgia
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 23rd Wing sponsorship program; Flying Tigers heritage is a source of unit pride
In-Processing: 23rd Wing in-processing; typically 2-3 days; flying squadron in-processing for rated aircrew
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; Valdosta specialist availability is moderate; Tallahassee (75 miles) provides better specialist access for complex cases

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical; hot humid summers (average high 93F/34C in July); mild winters (average low 41F/5C in January); occasional frost; spring and fall are pleasant; hurricane impacts rare but possible; summer thunderstorms frequent
Cost of Living: Very low; Valdosta and South Georgia are among the most affordable areas in the Southeast; excellent value for families
Nearby Attractions: Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (40 miles east) – one of the largest intact freshwater ecosystems in North America; Valdosta State University; Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta; Florida beaches (Jacksonville: 120 miles, Panama City: 170 miles); Tallahassee cultural events; hunting and fishing across South Georgia and North Florida
Spouse Employment: Valdosta offers employment in healthcare (South Georgia Medical Center), education (Valdosta State University, Lowndes County Schools), retail, and some manufacturing; VSU is a significant employer and education resource; remote work increasingly common; A&FRC assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.moody.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (229) 257-1110
MWR Website: https://moody23fss.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Moody AFB; (229) 257-3574; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.moody.af.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/moody-air-force-base; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MoodyAirForce_Base, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law