MOODY AFB — The United States Air Force has made command changes at Moody Air Force Base.

Colonel Chad Franks has commanded the 23rd Wing for the past two years, but now he is moving on Washington to act as Senior Executive Officer to the Air Force Chief of Staff.

In his place comes someone not new to Valdosta.  Colonel Thomas Kunkel will assume command, coming from the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency in Washington.  Kunkel previously served at Moody from 2009-11 as the Commander of the 41st Rescue Squadron, or as they’re better known, the Jolly Green Giants.

The 23rd Wing is manned by 6,000 service men and women.