the forum thread Bernie writes of is here: www.gokunming.com/en/forums/show_thread.php?thread_id=381

"After the American Volunteer Group was disbanded on July 4, 1942, the China Air Task Force of the United States Army Air Forces, commanded by General Chennault, officially took over air operations in China. In early March, 1943, the 14th Air Force was activated under the command of Chennault and replaced the China Air Task Force. Chennault remained in command of the 14th Air Force until the end of July, 1945." - from www.flyingtigersavg.com/tiger1.htm

"After the Flying Tigers went home, they were replaced by the U.S. Army 23rd Fighter Group, which took over the AVG fighters and some AVG veterans who accepted induction in China. For reasons of morale and propaganda, Chennault retained the name Flying Tigers for the army pilots, and generally anyone who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces in China in WWII can claim that title (much to the annoyance of the AVG)." - from www.warbirdforum.com/faq.htm

"Upon expiration of the AVG contract, Chennault was recalled to active duty in the rank of Brigadier General as the AAF moved into China. The China Air Task Force and 23rd Fighter Squadron carried on as the Flying Tigers under the command of Brig Gen Chennault. Subsequently, as AAF numbers grew in China and a visit to Kunming by AAF Chief "Hap" Arnold in March 1943, the 14th Air Force was established by special order of the President. Chennault continued as the commander and was promoted to Major General. The Flying Tigers conducted effective fighter and bomber operations along a 5,000 mile front from Chunking and Cheng Tu in the west to Indo China in the south; from the Tibetan Plateau in Burma to the China Sea and Formosa in the east." - from www.zianet.com/jpage/airforce/history/naf/14af.html

Although General Chennault commanded three successive groups of airmen in the region, and (as the quotes above show) there is some disagreement as to which of these groups can be referred to as 'Flying Tigers', i'm inclined to side with the commenter above (and another who chose to comment via GoKunming's contact form), and correct my original piece: the Hump supply flights were not flown by the AVG, but rather by the 14th Air Force. My lack of clarity stems from the laxity with which the term 'Flying Tigers' is applied.

The Chinese media report referenced above does not mention whether the park is intended to commemorate groups other than the AVG.