Moody Air Force Base

Established:1940
Base Type: Air Force

About

Moody Field began as an Army Air Corps pilot training base during World War II. The concept of an Army Airfield in Valdosta originated with Valdosta and Lowndes County citizens in 1940. Local leaders faced the probability of a coming war and looked for a way they could join the national defense efforts. Valdosta Mayor J. D. Ashley appointed six members to a city planning board in June 1940 to develop a plan of action. The original plan was to obtain an Army Air Corps flying school at the Valdosta Regional Airport, but this plan fell through when Weaver noticed a marsh in aerial photos of the airport. Their backup plan, the 9,300-acre site that had been the Lakeland Flatwoods Project, became the focus. This area was located approximately 10 miles northeast of Valdosta and had been the site of the T. J. Davis Plantation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture had been leasing the acreage since 1938 to do experiments in forest grazing. Moody Field remained on inactive status for four and a half years. Only a small caretaker unit of civil engineers and firefighting personnel (one officer and 12 civilians) remained on base. On Sept. 18, 1947, the Air Force became an independent service, and Moody Field became Moody Air Force Base. When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, the Air Force’s pilot training goal began escalating from 3,000 per year in 1950 to 7,200 per year by mid-1953. This caused Moody Air Force base to be reopened in May 1951. Rehabilitation of the base took the California Air National Guard’s 146th Air Base Group four months to complete. On Sept. 1, 1951, the Air Training Command accepted the base and activated the 3550th Flying Training Wing (Interceptor Aircrew) as the host wing. The 3550th would oversee three schools initially: the Instrument Pilot Instructor School, The Advanced Flying School Phase One, and the Jet Transition School. Training began in December 1951 with a reported military strength of 3,500 personnel In 2012, the 79th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB began receiving the new HC-130J “Combat King II.” This aircraft replaced the aging HC-130P models and provided enhanced cargo management capability and extended range. In 2013, the 71st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB received their first HC-130Js and by 2016 the last of nine aircraft had been delivered.In September 2015 the 598th Range Squadron was reactivated at Avon Park Air Force Range, Fla. The 598th RANS was activated the first time in 1943 at MacDill Field, Fla. as the 598th Bombardment Squadron, but they were moved to the Avon Park Bombing Range several months later. After the end of World War II, the 598th was inactivated. They are currently responsible for overseeing and managing
106,074 acres, approximately 78,000 of which are open to the public.

Gate and Hours

Main Gate
Open 24/7

South Gate
Outbound Only Mon-Fri 1600 – 1800

North Gate
Mon-Fri 0600 – 2000

Quite Pines
Open 24/7

Quick Reference

Airman & Family Readiness
5091 Gardner St
Moody AFB, GA 31699
(229) 257-3333

Pines Dining Facility
7255 Robbins Rd
Moody AFB, GA 31699
(229) 257-3651

Chapel
5120 Austin Ellipse
Moody AFB GA 31699
(229) 257-3211

Equal Opportunity
(229) 257-4730

Education Center
(229) 257-3150

Family Advocacy
(229) 257-3333
4851 Burrell St,
Moody AFB GA 31699

Lodging
3213 Mitchell Blvd
Moody AFB, GA 31699
(229) 257-3893

Finance Office
(229) 257-5233
23 Flying Tiger Way
Moody AFB, GA 31699

Housing Office
(229) 257-4417
3131 Coney St
Moody AFB, GA 31699

Public Affairs
(229) 257-4146

Base Surroundings

Wild Adventures
3766 Old Clyattville Rd,
Valdosta, GA 31601
(229) 216-7080

Jump’N Jacks 4 Kids
3671 Coleman Rd N,
Valdosta, GA 31602
(229) 242-7778

Steel Magnolias Restaurants
132 N Patterson St,
Valdosta, GA 31601
(229) 259-0010

Texas Roadhouse
1874 Clubhouse Dr,
Valdosta, GA 31601
(229) 242-7700

Giulios Greek & Italian Restaurant
105 E Ann St,
Valdosta, GA 31601
(229) 333-0929

306 North Restaurant
306 N Patterson St,
Valdosta, GA 31601
(229) 249-5333

Cheddars Scratch Kitchen
270 Norman,
Valdosta, GA 31601
(229) 247-5551

Valdosta Mall
1700 Norman Dr,
Valdosta, GA 31601
(229) 242-0457

GTC Valdosta Cinemas
1680 Baytree Rd,
Valdosta, GA 31602
(229) 247-1546

Jacs Bowling Lanes
406 Connell Rd,
Valdosta, GA 31602
(229) 242-2695