 Flying Tigers, this is your time. This is the moment to put your hard work and training to the test in July The 23rd wing along with airmen from multiple partner wings will participate in agile flag The exercise intended to challenge the ability for the 23rd wing to conduct command and control as well as agile combat support For multiple fighter force elements personal recovery task force and integrate base defense squadrons special operations and contingency response teams The exercise will pit nearly 1,000 airmen against a simulated enemy that will use both kinetic and non-connect capability to disrupt our ability to generate combat power In order to preserve combat power. We will dynamically deploy across the southeast United States Operating from multiple locations to support operations The outcome of this exercise will be certification of the 23rd wing as a lead wing an initial Operational capability of air combat commands lead wing concept The road to this moment for the flying Tigers has been long Over the last 18 months. This wing has built command and control concepts like the a staff develop rapidly deployable communications capability Created operational concepts for the air base squadron and refine multi capable airmen training for contingency locations and forward operating sites Each of these concepts has been tested and refined through mosaic and ready Tiger exercises in coordination with multiple wings and air combat command staff We've learned from our fellow lead wings and adapted tactics and procedures from Air Force special operations and contingency response teams The agile flag exercise was built to challenge every aspect of the lead wing concept and it will not be easy Our role as the first combat ready lead wing is to set the vector in pace for the rest of the air combat command in the Air Force Something the flying Tigers have done throughout our history. We didn't become world famous by waiting for guidance or help Since Claire Chenault's American Volunteer Group in 1942 Flying Tigers have been in the first to fight and it's time to be ready to do it again anytime anywhere I have no doubt that you'll be successful. Never forget that you're flying Tigers Never forget that you're critical to the mission attack rescue prevail Tigers lead