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MacDill Air Force Base

From MacDill's long history, here is a sample of what you will find:

"During the Spanish-American War (1898), Tampa, because of its strategic location, was chosen as a rendezvous point for troops heading south to help Cuba gain independence from Spain.  Approximately 10,000 of the 66,000 troops in Tampa waiting for ships headed to Cuba set up camp around what was then known as Port Tampa City, which bordered what is now MacDill AFB.
  
"There are several dates surrounding the history of MacDill AFB.  Official records report an establishment date of 24 May 1939, date construction began 6 September 1939, date of beneficial occupancy 11 March 1940 and formal dedication 16 April 1941.  This last date is normally associated with the age of the base.

"Originally known as Southeast Air Base, Tampa, and later named MacDill Field in honor of Colonel Leslie MacDill, the field became MacDill Air Force Base shortly after the establishment of the United States Air Force in 1947.
  

"Flying operations at MacDill began in 1941 with the base’s first mission including transitional training in the B-17 Flying Fortress.  Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, MacDill became a major staging area for Army Air Corps flight crews and aircraft.  In just 60 days, 15 LB-30 and 63 B-17 aircraft departed MacDill via the south Atlantic and Africa to Australia

"Following the F-16 conversion, the structure of the base began to change.  Beginning in January 1983, the U.S. Central Command activated on the same site as the inactivated Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force.  MacDill gained another unified command, U.S. Special Operations Command, when it activated in April 1987.

" In April 1991, the Defense Base Realignment. and Closure Commission recommended MacDill cease all flight operations by September 1993.  Later in the year, the 56th Tactical Training Wing was redesignated the 56th Fighter Wing.

"Air Force restructuring also brought changes to the base.  The 56th FW became part of the newly formed Air Combat Command June 1, 1992.  Later that month, downsizing actions inactivated the 72nd Fighter Squadron, leaving the base with three flying squadrons.

"Early in 1994, the 482nd FW returned to Homestead, which was rebuilt as a Reserve base.  Also the host unit at MacDill, the 56th Fighter Wing transferred its people and equipment to MacDill's new host unit, the 6th Air Base Wing.  The 56th then moved to Luke.

"As the host unit of MacDill, the 6th's mission became "providing support to America's premier warfighting commands -- U.S. Central Command, and U.S. Special Operations Command.  MacDill is also the home of the Joint Communications Support Element, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and several Department of Defense organizations.

"MacDill's strategic location and outstanding airfield capabilities were highlighted in September 1994, when the base became a major staging area for Operation Restore Democracy in Haiti.  MacDill supported C-130 units from Texas, Arkansas and North Carolina.

"In 1995, the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended keeping the MacDill flight line open and to relocate an active flying mission back to MacDill.  To help ease the lack of refueling aircraft located in the southeast United States, the commission further identified the 43rd Air Refueling Group from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., along with its 12 KC-135 Stratotankers , to transfer to MacDill in October 1996.  MacDill's host unit -- the 6th Air Base Wing -- was redesignated Oct. 1, 1996, as the 6th Air Refueling Wing under 21st Air Force and Air Mobility Command.  The 43rd ARG was inactivated at Malmstrom.

"Avon Park Air Force Range in central Florida was a detachment of the 6th Air Base Wing until Oct. 1, 1996, and provided DOD organizations with coordinated air and ground operations training.  The range is operated from MacDill by Detachment 1 of the 347th Operations Group, whose home wing is at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

"Reflecting on its varied roles, the mission of the 6th Air Refueling Wing is "dedicated Air Force professionals providing  proven and unequaled worldwide air refueling and airlift, global reach and power projection for America and world-class air base support for our resident warfighting commands."

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