MacDill Air Force Base

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MacDill Air Force Base

Part of Air Mobility Command (AMC)
Located near: Tampa, Florida
MacDill AFB KC-135 refueling an Eielson AFB 354th FW F-16
Coordinates 27°50′58″N 082°31′16″W / 27.84944°N 82.52111°W / 27.84944; -82.52111 (MacDill AFB)
Type Air Force Base
Site information
Controlled by  United States Air Force
Site history
Built 1941
In use 1941 – present
Garrison information
Garrison  6th Air Mobility Wing
Airfield information
IATA: MCF – ICAO: KMCF – FAA LID: MCF
Summary
Elevation AMSL 14 ft / 4 m
Coordinates 27°50′58″N 082°31′16″W / 27.84944°N 82.52111°W / 27.84944; -82.52111Coordinates: 27°50′58″N 082°31′16″W / 27.84944°N 82.52111°W / 27.84944; -82.52111
Website www.macdill.af.mil
Map
KMCF
Location of MacDill Air Force Base
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
4/22 11,421 3,481 Asphalt
Sources: official site[1] and FAA[2]
Main Gate Entrance before updates
Hedge at MacDill AFB
Aerial view including MacDill and the Gandy Bridge.
An F-15E from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC receives fuel from a 91st Air Refueling Squadron KC-135R.
MacDill Air Force Base Emblem showing a KC-135 Stratotanker of the 6th Air Mobility Wing with the Tampa Skyline and Gasparilla ship in the background. From MacDill AFB press kit.

MacDill Air Force Base (AFB) (IATA: MCF, ICAO: KMCF, FAA LID: MCF) is an active United States Air Force base located approximately 6.4 km (4 miles) south-southwest of downtown Tampa, Florida. The "host wing" for MacDill AFB is the 6th Air Mobility Wing (6 AMW) of the Air Mobility Command (AMC), part of AMC's Eighteenth Air Force (18 AF).

The 6th Air Mobility Wing is commanded by Colonel Scott V. DeThomas.[3] The Wing's Command Chief Master Sergeant is Tommy Mazzone.[4]

Overview

The host unit at MacDill AFB is the 6th Air Mobility Wing (6 AMW), assigned to the Air Mobility Command's 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force. In addition to operating KC-135R Stratotanker and C-37A Gulfstream aircraft, the 6 AMW provides day-to-day mission support to more than 3,000 personnel in its immediate command, along with more than 50 Mission Partners comprising over 12,000 additional personnel, to include the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) and a detachment of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). MacDill also bases the Aircraft Operations Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, whose NOAA Corps flies "Hurricane Hunter" missions in WP-3D Orion and Gulfstream IV aircraft. The 6 AMW is a 3,000-person force organized into four groups, in addition to the wing commander's immediate staff.

The 6 AMW also has a collocated "Associate" wing at MacDill, the 927th Air Refueling Wing (927 ARW) of the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). The 6 AMW and the 927 ARW operate and share the same assigned KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft.

Units

6th Air Mobility Wing

The 6 AMW consists of:

91st Air Refueling Squadron (91 ARS)
Operates the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker. The KC-135R is a long-range tanker aircraft capable of refueling a variety of other aircraft in mid-air, anywhere in the world and under any weather condition. MacDill KC-135s have supported US military operations all over the world, including refueling US and coalition aircraft during the wars in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq.
310th Airlift Squadron (310 AS)
Operates three Gulfstream C-37A Gulfstream V aircraft utilizing highly experienced flight crews to provide global transportation on special assignment airlift missions (SAAM) directly supporting the Combatant Commanders of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Transportation Command, U.S. Joint Forces Command, and U.S. Strategic Command.
6th Operations Support Squadron (6 OSS)
Provides airfield management responsibilities for MacDill AFB, to include staffing and operation of the air traffic control tower, weather forecasting services, transient alert services and other flight operations and aircrew support functions.
  • 6th Maintenance Group (6 MXG)
  • 6th Medical Group (6 MDG)
  • 6th Mission Support Group (6 MSG)

927th Air Refueling Wing

The 927 ARW consists of:

  • 927th Operations Group (927 OG)
63d Air Refueling Squadron (63 ARS)
Operates the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker. The KC-135R is a long-range tanker aircraft capable of refueling a variety of other aircraft in mid-air, anywhere in the world and under any weather condition.
927th Operations Support Flight (927 OSF)
  • 927th Maintenance Group (927 MXG)
  • 927th Mission Support Group (927 MSG)

The 927 ARW is commanded by Colonel David P. Pavey, USAF.

Other major tenant units

MacDill has a total of 38 tenant units according to the official MacDill website."MacDill Air Force Base Units". November 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012. 

Also located at MacDill are a division of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE), the Air Force Reserve Command's 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (45 AES), the Florida Air National Guard's 290th Joint Communications Support Squadron (290 JCSS), the Navy Reserve Forces Command's Navy Operational Support Center Tampa (NOSC Tampa), the US Army's 297th Military Intelligence Battalion, the Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory, activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, elements of the American Red Cross, the anti-medfly operation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Detachment 1 of the Air Combat Command's 23d Wing (23 WG) from Moody Air Force Base, GA, among numerous other organizations, activities and agencies.

Detachment 1 of the 23d Wing is unique in that it hosts the Deployed Unit Complex (DUC) at MacDill AFB, providing flight line and logistical support for detachments of Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps tactical jet fighter and attack aircraft (to include Reserve and Air National Guard) utilizing the nearby Avon Park Air Force Range facility, the Avon Range also being operated and maintained by Det 1, 23d Wing. An Air Combat Command (ACC) organization, Det 1 reports to the Commander, 23d Wing, at Moody AFB, Georgia.

The base also supports the large military retiree community in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding environs.

History

Colonel Leslie MacDill

MacDill AFB was established in 1939 as Southeast Air Base, Tampa. It is named in honor of Colonel Leslie MacDill (1889–1938). A World War I aviator, Colonel MacDill was killed in a crash of his North American BC-1 on 8 November 1938 at Anacostia, D.C. During World War I he commanded an aerial gunnery school in St Jean de Monte, France. 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. It was renamed MacDill Field on 1 December 1939.

MacDill Field was one of two major Army Air Corps bases established in the Tampa Bay area in the buildup prior to World War II. Tampa's Drew Field Municipal Airport, established in 1928 was leased by the Air Corps in 1940. A major expansion of the airport was initiated and Drew Army Airfield was opened in 1941. Headquarters, Southeast Air District was first activated at MacDill Field on 18 December 1940. It was later re-designated HQ Third Air Force and moved to offices in downtown Tampa on 8 January 1941.

Two secondary Army Airfields, Brooksville Army Airfield and Hillsborough Army Airfield were built and opened in early 1942 to support the flight operations of MacDill and Drew Fields. The Bonita Springs Auxiliary Field, located near Fort Myers provided an additional emergency landing field for MacDill.

All of these airfields came under the jurisdiction of Third Air Force. III Bomber Command, the bombardment arm of 3d Air Force was headquartered at MacDill Field. III Fighter Command, the fighter arm, was headquartered at Drew Field.

Initial uses

1943 MacDill Field

After the war in Europe had broken out in September 1939, fears of Nazi U-Boats attacking American shipping in the Gulf of Mexico was the concern of the War Department. Even though the United States was at peace, Lend Lease shipments of war goods to England and the establishment of Army and Navy bases in the Caribbean Sea south of Florida brought fears of U-Boat attacks on shipping in the Gulf, especially oil tankers from refineries in Texas and Louisiana.

Flying operations at MacDill began in 1941 with the base's first mission being the defense of Gulf of Mexico. Aircraft and men were housed at Drew Army Airfield until the runways at MacDill were built. Despite these obstacles, flying operations commenced on 7 February 1941. Hundreds of troops lived mostly in a mosquito-infested tent city at the field while barracks were being built. An official flag-raising ceremony was sponsored by the Tampa Elk’s Lodge on 16 June 1941.

Air defense of the Tampa Bay area was the mission of the 53d Pursuit Group (Interceptor), established at MacDIll on 15 January 1941. Equipped with the Seversky P-35, the 53d flew air defense patrols until the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor. It was reassigned to VI Fighter Command at Howard Field, Canal Zone to provide air defense of the Panama Canal.

The 29th Bombardment Group was moved to MacDill from Langley Field, Virginia on 21 May 1940. Lieutenant Colonel Vincent J. Meloy, commander of the 29th Bombardment Group, led the first flight of aircraft to Tampa on 17 January 1941. This consisted of fourteen aircraft flown from Langley Field to Tampa: three B-17s, two A-17s, and nine B-18s. The group flew antisubmarine patrols over the eastern Gulf waters until June 1942 when the group was transitioned into a B-24 Liberator Operational Training Unit and assigned to II Bomber Command at Gowen Field, Idaho.

The 44th Bombardment Group was activated at MacDill on 15 January 1941 equipped with the Consolidated B-24A Liberator. The Liberator was originally ordered by the Royal Air Force as the "LB-30" or Liberator I. These aircraft were destined for RAF Coastal Command for use in its battles against the U-boat menace. With a normal operating range of 2400 miles, the Liberators nearly doubled the effective range of the B-18 and it could fly long anti-submarine patrols equipped with a large bomb load to attack submarines if spotted. Patrols were also flown over the Atlantic Coast east of Florida. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the 44th was reassigned to Barksdale Field, Louisiana.

In addition to the antisubmarine mission, another prewar mission of MacDill was "Project X" the ferrying of combat aircraft eastward to the Philippines via ferrying routes set up by Ferrying Command over South Atlantic Ocean and Central Africa. The aircraft were then ferried via India to Australia where they were planned to be used to reinforce the Philippines Air Force. These operations began in February 1941 and were performed by the 6th and 43d Bombardment Squadron flying the B-18 Bolo and B-17 Flying Fortress. In just 60 days, 15 LB-30 and 63 B-17 aircraft departed MacDill via the south Atlantic and Africa to Australia.

World War II

"The Thunderbird" a magazine that was printed quarterly at MacDill Army Air Field, Summer 1944 edition.
An southern oriented image of MacDill Airfield taken during World War II.(note the image is inverted)
Lockheed-Vega B-17F-40-VE Fortress AAF Ser. No. 42-6001 in maintenance hangar at MacDill Field, Florida, 1944.
B-17G Flying Fortresses taxiing at MacDill AAF, Florida, 1944
B-17 Tail position maintenance – MacDill AAF Florida – 1944.

With the United States entry into World War II, the primary mission of MacDill Field became the training of bombardment units under III Bomber Command. In June 1942, the 21st Bombardment Group was assigned with B-26 Marauder medium bombers as the Operational Training Unit (OTU). As well as the main training unit, the group flew antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico.

It was the B-26 that earned the slogan "one a day in Tampa Bay." The aircraft proved hard to fly and land by many pilots due to its short wings, high landing speeds, and fighter plane maneuverability. Nine of the 12 combat groups that flew the B-26 in Europe were activated and trained at MacDill and in combat the B-26 enjoyed the lowest loss rate of any Allied bomber.

In addition MacDill provided transitional training in the B-17 Flying Fortress. The first Eighth Air Force Flying Fortress groups were trained at MacDill Field prior to their deployment to England in the summer of 1942. Also the command and control organizations for Eighth Air Force were organized and equipped at MacDill in 1942. Heavy bomber training ended in July 1942 as the B-17 group training mission was reassigned to II Bomber Command and moved to the midwest and western states.

Estimates of the number of crew members trained at the base during the war vary from 50,000 to 120,000, with as many as 15,000 troops were stationed at MacDill Field at one time. A contingent of Women’s Army Corps (WACS) troops arrived in 1943. The base provided various forms of entertainment including band concerts, live performers, and a movie theatre. Two films were made in Tampa with wartime themes: A Guy Called Joe (1943) starred Spencer Tracy and had scenes shot at MacDill; Air Force (1943) starred John Garfield and had scenes shot at Drew Field. In the latter film MacDill-based B-26s were painted as Japanese bombers, and although the entire Bay area defenses were alerted to this fact, the Coast Guard still shot at the planes as they flew over the Gulf.

In late 1943, when Second Air Force began transitioning to B-29 Superfortress training, the B-17 mission returned to MacDill which continued through the end of World War II. As a result, the B-26 21st Bombardment Group was disbanded on 10 October 1943. The OTU which performed the B-17 training was the 488th Bombardment Group (Heavy) which was activated in November 1943 with four Bombardment training squadrons.

In an administrative reorganization by HQ Army Air Force, on 1 May 1944, numbered training units in the Zone of the Interior (ZI) (Continental United States) were re-designated as "Army Air Force Base Units". At MacDill, the 488th Bomb Group was re designated as the 326th Army Air Forces Base Unit (Heavy Bombardment). B-17 training squadrons were designated as "H, J, K, and L".

Beginning in January 1944, the 11th Photographic Group used MacDill for its mission of photographic mapping in the US and sent detachments to carry out similar operations in Africa, the CBI theater, the Near and Middle East, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and the Caribbean. The unit flew a mixture of B-17, B-24, B-25, B-29, F-2, F-9, F-10, and A-20 aircraft equipped with cartographic cameras. The 11th PG inactivated in October 1944, being replaced by several intelligence and mapping training units at the airfield from 1945 through 1948.

Several bases in Florida, including MacDill, served as detention centers for German prisoners-of-war (POWs) in the latter part of 1944 and 1945. At its apex, 488 POWs were interned at MacDill.

In February 1945, the 323d Combat Crew Training Wing (Very Heavy Bomber) was established at the base with a mission of training B-29 Superfortress aircrews. The first training class began at the end of February and the B-29 Superfortress arrived at MacDill Field on 26 January 1945, with additional aircraft arriving during the spring and summer The first B-29 aircrew graduated in May. On 16 April 1945 MacDill was assigned to Continental Air Command and became a primary training facility for aircrew assigned to the B-29 Superfortress.

On 24 June 1945 a hurricane hit the Tampa area, and the B-17 aircraft were evacuated to Vichy Army Airfield, Missouri. At the end of June 1945, B-17 replacement crew training ended at the base. With the end of the war in Europe and the B-17 being used almost exclusively in Europe, the need for replacement personnel by Eighth and Fifteenth Air Force was ended.

The 326th Army Air Forces Base Unit was reorganized into an Army Air Forces separation (326th AAFBU (Separation Station) )unit to process military demobilizations. The demobilization and separation functions became the major mission at MacDill in the fall of 1945, however, a lack of personnel was the main inhibiting factor. On 1 January 1946, with the closure of Drew Army Airfield, the demobilization and separation activities performed by the 301st Army Air Forces Base Unit (Separation Station) were transferred to MacDill Field. The Separation station remained open until December 1949.

With the end of hostilities in September 1945 the training B-29 aircrew training program began to slow down. The base became a reception facility for returning Twentieth Air Force groups from the Marianas. These groups were:

  • 462d Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) (November 1945)
  • 497th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) (January 1946)
  • 498th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) (January 1946)

The rapid demobilization after the war led these units to be inactivated during 1946. Headquarters, III Fighter Command moved from Drew Field in December 1945; both III Bomber and III Fighter Commands were inactivated on 8 April 1946.

Strategic Air Command

307th Bombardment Group

B-29A-75-BN Superfortress 44-62328 at RAF Lakenheath, England, 1948. Note the Black Square SAC postwar tail code, along with the postwar "Buzz Code"

On 21 March 1946, Continental Air Command was redesignated as Strategic Air Command (SAC). On 4 August 1946, SAC activated the 307th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) as the host unit at MacDill, being initially equipped with Boeing B-29 Superfortresses. Known initial operational squadrons of the group were the 370th, 371st and 372d Bombardment Squadrons.

The group selected as SAC's first antisubmarine unit in December 1946. Precursor to similar SAC units, the group began training other SAC combat units in anti-submarine warfare and operational procedures. In February 1947 the wing began operating a B-29 transition training school and standardized combat training for all SAC units.

The unit was redesignated as the 307th Bombardment Wing, Medium on 12 July 1948. Under the wing designation, the 306th Bombardment Group (eff: 12 August 1948) and 307th Bombardment Group (eff: 12 July 1948) were attached to the wing. This brought three additional operational squadrons (367th, 368th and 369th Bombardment Squadrons) under the wing's command. In 1952, the 307th Bombardment Wing was bestowed the lineage, honors and history of the USAAF World War II 307th Bombardment Group.

On 1 September 1950, the 307th Bomb Group with its three squadrons of B-29s was deployed to Far East Air Force (FEAF) Bomber Command, Provisional at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, engaging in combat operations during the Korean War. From Kadena, the 307th staged attacks against the rapidly advancing communist forces in South Korea. While in Okinawa, the 307th was awarded the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for its air strikes against enemy forces in Korea. It was also awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation and several campaign streamers.

The 307th BG returned from deployment on 10 February 1951, however elements of the group remained deployed in Okinawa on a permanent basis. Later in 1951, the B-29s of the group at MacDill were replaced by the Boeing B-50D Superfortress.

Also on 1 September 1950 the 306th Bomb Group was transferred to the newly activated 306th Bombardment Wing at MacDill and continued the wing's training mission.

The 307th Bomb Wing was inactivated at MacDill on 16 June 1952. The 307th Bomb Group was permanently reassigned to Kadena Air Base upon the inactivation of the wing at MacDill.

306th Bombardment Wing

B-47 era MacDill AFB Postcard
3 Aircraft formation of B-47Es of the 306th Bombardment Wing.

On 1 September 1950 the 306th Bombardment Wing was activated at MacDill and became SAC's first operational B-47 jet bomber wing. Upon activation, operational units of the wing were the 367th, 368th and 369th Bombardment Squadrons under the 306th Bombardment Group which was transferred from the 307th BMW.

Deliveries of the new Boeing B-47A Stratojet Stratojet to the USAF began in December 1950. It entered service in May 1951 with the 306th Bombardment Wing. The 306th was intended to act as a training outfit to prepare future B-47 crews. The B-47As were primarily training aircraft and were not considered as being combat ready, and none of the B-47As ever saw any operational duty.

On 19 November 1951 the Wing received its first operational Boeing B-47B and christened it "The Real McCoy" in honor of Colonel Michael N. W. McCoy, the wing commander who flew it from the Boeing Wichita plant to MacDill. During 1952, the 306th developed combat procedures and techniques for the new bomber and soon emerged as a leader in jet bombardment tactics and strategies.

The first Boeing KC-97E Stratotanker assigned to Strategic Air Command was delivered to the 306th Air Refueling Squadron at MacDill on 14 July 1951. In-flight refueling operations started in May 1952 with KC-97s refueling B-47s on operational training missions leading toward combat-ready status.

In 1953, the 306th became the first operational B-47 Wing. The wing became the backbone of the US Nuclear Deterrence Strategy by maintaining high levels of ground alert in the US and at overseas bases. The Wing was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit citation for its role as a pioneer and leader in jet bombardment tactics. B-47Bs from the 306th Bomb Wing began a 90-day rotational training mission to England in June 1953, marking the first overseas deployment of the B-47. Major (selectee) Glenn A. McConnell led the first 4 B47s to RAF Brize Norton. For its role in advancing jet bombardment tactics, the wing was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award citation (AFOUC). Additional deployments were made to RAF Fairford England, June – September 1953, at Ben Guerir AB, French Morocco (later Morocco), January – February 1955, October 1956 – January 1957 and October 1957.

In 1954, SAC designated specific air refueling organizations and the 306th Air Refueling Squadron became ready to support B-47 operations across the command. During 1954, the more advanced B-47Es, with ejection seats, improved electronics and a white reflective paint scheme, replaced the 306th BMW B-47Bs.

During 1954–55, MacDill and the wing also served as a backdrop for part of the Paramount Pictures film Strategic Air Command starring James Stewart and June Allyson, a portion of which was filmed in and around both the 305th Bombardment Wing and 306th Bombardment Wing areas and their B-47 aircraft at MacDill AFB.

As SAC's B-47s were being phased out of the inventory, inactivation planning of the 306th BMW began. Phase down and transfer of B-47s was started, and by 15 February 1963 the wing was no longer capable of fulfilling its part of the strategic war plan. On 1 April 1963, SAC inactivated the 306th BMW at MacDill and reactivated it the same day at McCoy AFB, Florida as a B-52D and KC-135A heavy bombardment wing. McCoy AFB was the former Pinecastle AFB, having been renamed after Colonel Michael N. W. McCoy following his death in a B-47 mishap near the base in 1957.

305th Bombardment Wing

On 2 January 1951 the 305th Bombardment Wing was activated at MacDill. The unit became the second Strategic Air Command wing to receive the B-47 jet bomber. Operational squadrons of the wing were the 305th, 364th, 365th and 366th Bombardment Squadrons. Initially training with the Boeing B-29 and B-50 Superfortress, later that year the 305th received its first Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter. Following this, the group began training heavily in its new dual mission of strategic bombardment and aerial refueling.

The 809th Air Division (809th AD) took over host unit responsibilities at MacDill on 16 June 1952. The 809th AD consisted of the 305th and 306th Bombardment Wings which were both assigned to the base.

In June 1952, the wing upgraded to the all-jet Boeing B-47 Stratojet. The wing continued strategic bombardment and refueling operations from MacDill. The wing deployed overseas three times, once to England (September–December 1953) and twice to North Africa (November 1955 – January 1956 and January–March 1957), in keeping with its mission of global bombardment and air refueling operations. Two wing B-47s set speed records on 28 July 1953 when one flew from RCAF Goose Bay, Labrador, to RAF Fairford, England, in 4:14 hours and the other flew from Limestone AFB, Maine, to RAF Fairford in 4:45 hours

In May 1959, the 305th Bomb Wing with B-47's was reassigned to Bunker Hill AFB, later Grissom AFB, Indiana. The 809th AD inactivated on 1 June 1959 with the reassignment of the 305th Bomb Wing.

Air Defense Command

Air Defense Command became a major tenant unit at MacDill in 1954 with the establishment of a Mobile radar station on the base to support the permanent ADC Radar network in the United States sited around the perimeter of the country. This deployment was projected to be operational by mid-1952. Funding, constant site changes, construction, and equipment delivery delayed deployment.

This site at MacDill, designated as M-129 became operational on 1 August 1954 when the 660th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was assigned to the base by the 35th Air Division. MacDill became the first operational mobile radar under the first phase of the program. The 660th ACWS initially used an AN/MPS-7 radar. By 1958 MacDill also had AN/GPS-3 and AN/MPS-14 radars. During the following year the AN/GPS-3 and AN/MPS-7 sets were replaced by AN/FPS-20A search and AN/FPS-6B height-finder sets.

During 1961 MacDill AFB joined the Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, initially feeding data to DC-09 at Gunter AFB, Alabama. After joining, the squadron was re-designated as the 660th Radar Squadron (SAGE) on 1 March 1961. Also, in 1961 an AN/FPS-7B assumed search duties, and an additional height-finder radar was added in the form of an AN/FPS-26.

In 1963 an AN/FPS-90 height-finder radar replaced the AN/FPS-6B, and n 31 July 1963, the site was redesignated as NORAD ID Z-129. In addition to the main facility, Z-129 operated several unmanned Gap Filler sites:

In 1966 the AN/FPS-26 was modified into an AN/FSS-7 SLBM D&W radar, part of the 14th Missile Warning Squadron. Around 1966 Z-129 became a joint-use facility with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the search radar was modified to an AN/FPS-7E model.

Z-129 came under Tactical Air Command jurisdiction in 1979 with the inactivation of Aerospace Defense Command and the activation of ADTAC. It was inactivated 15 November 1980.

The FSS-7 (the final one in the USAF inventory) remained in use for about a year after the host 660th Radar Squadron inactivated, reassigned as Det 1, 20th Missile Warning Squadron. The GATR site was retained until the Joint Surveillance System (JSS) switch-over (c. 1984), with the radios being maintained by the 1928th Communications Squadron (AFCC).

Tactical Air Command

The first attempt to close MacDill was made in 1960, when it was listed as surplus and slated for closure. However, the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 pointed up the base's strategic location and usefulness as a staging area, and the cuts were stayed. In response to the Missile Crisis, the United States Strike Command was established at MacDill as a crisis response force; it was one of the first unified commands, a command that draws manpower and equipment from all branches of the U.S. military.

In 1962, MacDill AFB was transferred to Tactical Air Command (TAC). Bomber aircraft would remain at MacDill until the 306th Bombardment Wing's transfer to McCoy AFB, and SAC would continue to maintain a tenant presence at MacDill through the 1980s, utilizing their Alert Facility as a dispersal location for B-52 and KC-135 aircraft. But for all practical purposes, the 1960s marked MacDill's transition to a fighter-centric TAC installation. Under TAC, MacDill remained a fighter base for almost 30 years, but other changes went on in the background.

12th Tactical Fighter Wing

Upon MacDill AFB's transfer to TAC, the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing was reactivated on 17 April 1962 and assigned to Ninth Air Force. Initially, its only operational squadron was the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The mission of the 12th TFW was to be prepeared for tactical worldwide deployments and operations. Until 1964 the wing flew obsolete Republic F-84F Thunderjets reclaimed from the Air National Guard.

In January 1964, the wing was chosen to be the first Air Force combat wing to convert to the new McDonnell-Douglas F-4C Phantom II. It was expanded as follows:

  • 557th Tactical Fighter Squadron
  • 558th Tactical Fighter Squadron
  • 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron
  • 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron
    (Activated on 8 January 1964 as part of a wing transition from three squadrons of 25 aircraft each to four squadrons of 18 aircraft each.)

The wing was soon involved in F-4C firepower demonstrations, exercises and, ultimately, the Paris Air Show. The conflict in Southeast Asia was escalating and throughout 1965 the wing supported Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Contingency Operations by rotating combat squadrons quarterly to Naha AB in the Ryuku Islands. The 12th began its permanent deployment to the first Air Force expeditionary airfield at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam on 6 November 1965.

12th TFW Combat squadrons initially scheduled for deployment to Vietnam were the 555th, 557th and 558th TFS. Ultimately, the 559th TFS took the place of the 555th when the squadron was diverted to a second TDY with the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, followed by a re-assignment to the 8th TFW at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Still later the 555th was assigned to the 432d TRW at Udon Royal Thai Air Force Base.

15th Tactical Fighter Wing

McDonnell Douglas F-4E-35-MC Phantom II, AF Serial No. 67-0305 of the 43d TFS.

On 17 April 1962, the 15th Tactical Fighter Wing was activated at MacDill and assigned to Ninth Air Force. Operational squadrons of the wing and squadron tail codes were:

The 12th and 15th TFWs constituted the 836th Air Division at MacDill AFB 1 July 1962.

Initially equipped with the Republic F-84F Thunderjet, in 1964 the wing upgraded to the tail-coded McDonnell-Douglas F-4C Phantom II.

The mission of the 15th TFW was to conduct tactical fighter combat crew training. The wing participated in a variety of exercises, operations and readiness tests of Tactical Air Command, and trained pilots and provided logistical support for the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing. Reorganized as a mission-capable unit at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, it returned afterwards to a training mission.

With the departure of the 12th TFW in 1965, the 15th TFW became the host unit at MacDill with unit's mission becoming a training unit for F-4 aircrews prior to their deployment to Southeast Asia. The wing deployed 16 F-4s to Seymour Johnson AFB, NC during the USS Pueblo Crisis in 1968.

In 1965, the wing deployed its 43rd, 45th, 46th and 47th Tactical Fighter Squadrons to Southeast Asia, where they participated in the air defense commitment for the Philippines from Clark AB and flew combat missions from Cam Rahn Bay Air Base in South Vietnam and Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. Members of the 45th TFS achieved the first U.S. Air Force aerial victories of the Vietnam War when they destroyed two MiGs on 10 July 1965.

Captains Thomas S. Roberts, Ronald C. Anderson, Kenneth E. Holcombe and Arthur C. Clark received credit for these kills.

Beginning on 8 February 1969, the 13th Bombardment Squadron, Tactical began Martin B-57G (Tail Code: FK) light bomber aircrew training. The squadron was inactivated on 1 October 1970 and redesignated as the 4424th Combat Crew Training Squadron.

Also in 1970, Strike Command was renamed United States Readiness Command.

The 43rd TFS was reassigned to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska on 4 January 1970. The 15th was inactivated on 1 October 1970, being replaced by the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing.

Cuban Missile Crisis

During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, the following units were deployed to MacDill in addition to the assigned 12th and 15th TFWs in preparation for planned airstrikes on Cuba:

  • 27th Tactical Fighter Wing, 60 F-100s
    (Deployed from Cannon AFB, New Mexico)
  • 363d Tac Reconnaissance Wing, 33 RF-101s, 31 RB-66s
    (Deployed from Shaw AFB, South Carolina)
  • 622d Air Refueling Squadron, 20 KB-50Js
    (Aerial Tankers deployed from England AFB, Louisiana)

The MacDill-based 12th and 15th Tac Fighter Wings, were designated as the 836th Air Division. The 836th AD was committed to provide one hundred F-84F sorties in the planned first strike. They were to press napalm and rocket attacks against SAM sites at Mariel and Sagua La Grande as well as the airfields at Santa Clara, Los Banos and San Julien.

The 836th commitment for the second strike was to provide sixty-four sorties concentrating on the Los Banos airfield, two AAA sites and the SSM launchers at San Diego de los Vegas and Pinar Del Rio.

Finally, forty-two F-84Fs were to strike Los Banos MiG base a third time and the Santa Clara MiG base, Sagua La Grande and Mariel SAM sites each a second time.

The Cuban missile confrontation was ultimately resolved and the air strikes, which would have been followed by an invasion of Cuba, were never launched.

1st Tactical Fighter Wing

McDonnell F-4E-31-MC Phantom II, AF Serial No. 66-0295 of the 94th TFS.
Martin B-57G-MA, AF Serial No. 53-3877 of the 4530th CCTS.

On 10 January 1970, the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing was reassigned without personnel or equipment to MacDill, the wing being transferred from Air Defense Command (ADC) to TAC from Hamilton AFB, California. Initially, the 1st TFW operated with the same Tactical Fighter Squadron designations used by the 15th TFW until 1 July 1971 when they were redesignated as follows:

  • 45th TFS -> 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron (FD/FF) (F-4E)
  • 46th TFS -> 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron (FB/FF) (F-4E)
  • 47th TFS -> 94th Tactical Fighter Squadron (FE/FF) (F-4E)
  • 4424Th TFTS -> 4530th Combat Crew Training Squadron (FK/FS) (B-57G)
    (Note: squadron discontinued 30 June 1972.)

In 1972, the 1st TFW standardized on the common wing tail code "FF".

At MacDill, the 1st TFW was an operational TAC fighter wing, assuming operational commitments of the 15th TFW. Assumed an F-4 transitional and replacement pilot training role in 1971, some of its aircrews and equipment being deployed from time to time in a variety of tactical exercises.

On 1 July 1975 the 1st TFW and its operational squadrons were reassigned to Langley AFB, Virginia without personnel or equipment.

56th Tactical Fighter Wing

McDonnell F-4D-29-MC Phantom II, AF Serial No. 66-0244 of the 61st TFS.
General Dynamics F-16A Block 10B Fighting Falcon, AF Serial No. 79-0397 of the 61st TFS.

On 30 June 1975, the 56th Tactical Fighter Wing became the new host unit at MacDill, being reassigned from Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Operational squadrons of the wing were:

The 56th TFW assumed the F-4E aircraft of the reassigned 1st TFW. Tail codes were changed to "MC".

The wing conducted F-4E replacement training for pilots, weapon systems officers, and maintenance personnel and conducted a service test of TAC's "production oriented maintenance organization" in 1976 and converted to the POMO concept in March 1977. In addition, the wing converted from the F-4E to F-4D between October 1977 and September 1978.

In 1980 and 1981, the wing upgraded to the Block 10 General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon. With the arrival of the F-16, the wing designation was changed to 56th Tactical Training Wing on 1 October 1981. The aircraft were upgraded to the more capable Block 30 and 42 F-16C/D in 1991.

In 1983, the new Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (RDJTF) was activated, and in 1987 it became U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

On 1 October 1991, the 56th TTW was redesignated as the 56th Fighter Wing (56 FW). Following inactivation of Tactical Air Command (TAC), the 56 FW and was reassigned to the newly established Air Combat Command (ACC) on 1 June 1992.

Post Cold War

By the 1990s, the U.S. was looking to downsize the military and eliminate a large number of bases. MacDill AFB figured prominently in this: the Tampa area saw substantial commercial air traffic at two international airports within ten nautical miles of MacDill, creating hazardous conditions for F-16 training, and the noise associated with the high-performance jets was deemed unsuitable for high-density residential areas like those around MacDill. As a result the 1991 Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission ordered that all flightline activities cease at MacDill AFB by 1993.

As a result of the BRAC decision, the F-16 training mission and the 56th Fighter Wing were moved without personnel or equipment to Luke Air Force Base, outside of Phoenix, Arizona, and was reassigned to Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The wing's F-16 aircraft were transferred to other Regular U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard wings and squadrons.

6th Air Mobility Wing and 927th Air Refueling Wing (Associate)

In August 1992, just prior to the landfall of Hurricane Andrew in southern Florida, the 31st Fighter Wing and the Air Force Reserve's 482d Fighter Wing, both based at Homestead AFB, executed an emergency hurricane evacuation of all of their F-16C aircraft, with the bulk of those aircraft temporarily staging at MacDill.

In 1993, with the help of local Representative Bill Young (R-FL), the flight line closure order for MacDill was rescinded and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) transferred from their former air facility at Miami International Airport to Hangar 5 at MacDill AFB in order to use the base and its flight line as their new home station for weather and research flights.

On 1 January 1994, the Air Mobility Command's 6th Air Base Wing (6 ABW) stood up at MacDill to operate the base and provide support services for CENTCOM, SOCOM, and the large and growing number of other tenant units, as well as to provide services for transient air units. Later that year, the base served as the primary staging facility for Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti.

This staging was considered evidence of the quality and usefulness of the MacDill runway and flight line, even in light of the high civilian air traffic levels in the Tampa Bay area from nearby Tampa International Airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and Peter O. Knight Airport. With further Congressional prodding and lobbying, MacDill was chosen as the site for a KC-135 air refueling mission. With the arrival of 12 KC-135R tankers and the 91st Air Refueling Squadron from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, the 6th Air Base Wing was renamed the 6th Air Refueling Wing on 1 October 1996.

In January 2001, the 310th Airlift Squadron (310 AS) was activated at the base, flying the CT-43A and EC-135, the former aircraft providing executive transport to the commander of United States Southern Command (USSOUTHOM) in Miami and the latter aircraft providing executive transport and airborne command post capabilities to the commanders of USCENTCOM and USSOCOM at MacDill. New C-37A aircraft were delivered starting in 2001, and the CT-43 and EC-135s were subsequently removed from service. The 310th's primary mission is dedicated airlift support for the commanders of USCENTCOM, USSOCOM and USSOUTHCOM. With the addition of the 310 AS, the wing was given its current designation as the 6th Air Mobility Wing.

In late 2003/early 2004, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command vacated its Tampa "rear headquarters" at MacDill AFB, a complex that was normally occupied by the USNAVCENT/US 5th Fleet Deputy Commander (DEPCOMUSNAVCENT/DEPCOMFIFTHFLT) and his staff when they were not forward deployed to the Persian Gulf region. In vacating the MacDill AFB facility, USNAVCENT staff activities were consolidated at COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. This facility was then turned over to the Deputy Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command (DEPCOMUSMARCENT) and his staff. It would subsequently become the overall Headquarters, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command, although the Commanding General for MARCENT (COMUSMARCENT) would remain a dual-hatted function of the Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) at Camp Pendleton, California. While the Commanding General remains in California, his MARCENT staff primarily resides at MacDill AFB with an additional forward element at the Naval Support Activity in Manama, Bahrain.

Also in late 2004, Naval Reserve Center Tampa relocated from its obsolescent waterfront location in downtown Tampa to a newly constructed facility on the south side of MacDill AFB. In 2006, this facility was renamed Navy Operational Support Center Tampa, concurrent with the shift in name of the Naval Reserve to the Navy Reserve and its greater integration into the Fleet and shore establishment of the Regular Navy. Under the command of an active duty full-time support (FTS) Navy Captain, NOSC Tampa provides administrative support for all Navy Reserve personnel assigned to various joint and service commands and activities at MacDill AFB, CGAS Clearwater and Marine Corps Reserve Center Tampa.

In April 2008, pursuant to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) action, the Air Force Reserve Command's 927th Air Refueling Wing (927 ARW) relocated from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan to MacDill AFB, where it became an associate wing to the 6 AMW, flying the same KC-135R aircraft.

Cyberwarfare

In early 2011, several news outlets, primaily in the United Kingdom, reported that Ntrepid, a Californian software and hardware company, had been awarded a $2.76 million U.S. government contract to create false online personas to counter the threat of terrorism and could possibly run their operation from MacDill.[5][6]

BRAC 2005

In its 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Recommendations, DoD recommended to realign Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. It would distribute the 319th Air Refueling Wing’s KC-135R aircraft to the 6th Air Mobility Wing (6 AMW) at MacDill AFB, FL (four aircraft) and several other installations. The 6 AMW would also host a Reserve association with the Air Mobility Command-gained 927th Air Refueling Wing (927 ARW) of the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), which would be realigned and relocated from Selfridge ANGB, Michigan to MacDill AFB. Under the Reserve Associate arrangement, both the 6 AMW and the 927 ARW would share the same KC-135R aircraft, while the 927 ARW would turn over their KC-135R aircraft to the 127th Wing (127 WG) at Selfridge ANGB.

The 927 ARW began relocation from Selfridge ANGB to MacDill AFB in 2007 and formally established itself at MacDill in April 2008.[7]

Previous names

  • Established as Southeast Air Base, Tampa, c. 24 May 1939
  • MacDill Field, 1 December 1939
  • MacDill Air Force Base, 13 January 1948

Major commands to which assigned

  • GHQ Air Force, 8 April 1940
  • Third Air Force, 21 July 1942
  • Continental Air Forces, 16 April 1945 (redesignated Strategic Air Command, 21 March 1946)

Base operating units

  • 27th Air Base Sq, 11 March 1940
  • 27th Air Base Gp, 1 September 1940
  • 28th Base HQ and Air Base Sq, c. 15 July 1942
  • MacDill Field Base Det, 13 December 1943
  • 326th AAF Base Unit, 1 May 1944
  • 307th Airdrome Gp, 15 August 1947
  • 307th Air Base Gp, 12 July 1948
  • 306th Air Base Gp, 1 September 1950
  • 809th Air Base Gp, 16 June 1952 (rdsgd 809th Combat Support Gp, 1 January 1959)
  • 306th Combat Support Gp, 1 June 1959
  • 836th Combat Support Gp, 1 July 1962
  • 15th Combat Support Gp, 8 June 1969
  • 1st Combat Support Gp, 1 October 1970
  • 56th Combat Support Gp, 1 July 1975
  • 6th Mission Support Group. 4 January 1994–present

Major units assigned

World War II

  • 3d Bombardment Wing, 3 October 1940 – 5 September 1941
  • 53d Pursuit Group, 15 January-8 May 1941 (P-40)
  • 29th Bombardment Group, 21 May 1940 – 25 June 1942 (B-17/B-18 Antisubmarine Patrols)
  • 21st Bombardment Group, 27 June 1942 – 10 October 1943 (B-26 OTU)
  • 336th Bombardment Group, 15 July-10 August 1942; 13 October-6 November 1943 (B-26 RTU)
  • 488th Bombardment Group, 1 November 1943 – 1 May 1944 (B-17 RTU)
Re-designated: 326th Army Air Forces Base Unit (Heavy Bombardment) 1 May 1944 – 30 June 1944
Re-designated: 326th Army Air Forces Base Unit (Separation Station)
  • 89th Combat Crew Training Wing, 19 June 1944 – 8 April 1946 (Reconnaissance Training)
  • 11th Photographic Group, January-5 October 1944
  • 323d Combat Crew Training Wing, 22 February 1945 – 4 August 1946 (Very Heavy Bomber)

World War II Training Units Assigned

  • HQ XII Bomber Command, 13 March-31 Auugust 1942 (Deployed to England)
  • 19th Bombardment Wing, 24 July-28 September 1942 (Deployed to Egypt)
  • 12th Bombardment Wing, 8 September 1942 – 28 November 1943 (Deployed to England)
  • 13th Bombardment Wing, 1 October 1942 – 10 May 1943 (Deployed to England)
  • 14th Bombardment Wing, 1 October 1942 – 9 May 1943 (Deployed to England)
  • 20th Bombardment Wing, 1 November 1942 – 8 May 1943 (Deployed to England)
  • 98th Bombardment Wing, 2 October 1940 – 5 September 1941 (Deployed to England)
  • 44th Bombardment Group, 15 January 1941 – 15 February 1942 (B-24 Antisubmarine Patrols)
  • 92d Bombardment Group, 26 March–May 1942 (B-17 1st Level Training)
  • 91st Bombardment Group, 16 May-26 June 1942 (B-17 1st Level Training)
  • 99th Bombardment Group, 1–29 June 1942 (B-17 Organized)
  • 94th Bombardment Group, 15 June-1 July 1942 (B-17 Organized)
  • 323d Bombardment Group, 21 August-2 November 1942 (B-25 2d Level Training)
  • 386th Bombardment Group, 1 December 1942 – 9 February 1943 (B-26 1st Level Training)
  • 387th Bombardment Group, 1 December 1942 – 12 April 1943 (B-26 1st Level Training)
  • 463d Bombardment Group, 5 November 1943 – 3 January 1944 (B-17 2d Level Training)
  • 483d Bombardment Group, 7 November 1943 – 2 March 1944 (B-17 2d/3d Level Training)

Postwar units

  • 311th Reconnaissance Wing, 17 April 1946 – 31 May 1947
  • 8th Bomber Command, 14 May-10 November 1946
  • Eighth Air Force, 7 June-1 November 1946
  • Tactical Air Command, 21 March-26 May 1946

United States Air Force

  • 307th Bombardment Wing, 15 August 1947 – 16 May 1951 (B-29, B-50)
  • 306th Bombardment Group, 1 August 1948 – 16 June 1952 (B-29, B-50)
  • 306th Bombardment Wing, 1 September 1950 – 1 April 1953 (B-50)
1 January 1959 – 1 March 1963 (B-47)
  • 305th Bombardment Wing, 2 January 1951 – 1 June 1959 (B-29, B-50, B-47)
  • 4750th Air Defense Wing, 25 June 1959 – 25 June 1960
17th Tow Target Squadron, 11 June 1959 – 15 June 1960 (B-57E)
  • 12th Tactical Fighter Wing, 25 April 1962 – 8 November 1965 (F-4C)
  • 15th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 July 1962 – 1 October 1970 (F-4C/D)
  • 836th Air Division, 1 July 1962 – 30 June 1971
  • 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 October 1970 – 30 June 1975 (F-4E)
  • 56th Tactical Fighter Wing, 30 June 1975 – 4 January 1994 (F-4E, F-16A/C)
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing, 4 January 1994–present (KC-135)

Demographics

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 2,692 people, 638 households, and 600 families residing in the district. The racial makeup of the district was 61.8% white, 24.5% African American, 12.0% Latin American, 0.6% American Indian, 2.9% Asian American, 0.4% Pacific Islander American, 5.1% from some other race, and 4.8% from two or more races.

There were 608 households out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 87.8% were married couples living together, and 1.5% were non-families. 88.5% of all households were made up of individuals over 18 and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.75 and the average family size was 3.76.

See also

References

  1. ↑ MacDill AFB, official site
  2. ↑ FAA Airport Master Record for MCF (Form 5010 PDF), effective 20 December 2007
  3. ↑ Biographies : COLONEL SCOTT V. DETHOMAS. Macdill.af.mil. Retrieved on 2013-07-21.
  4. ↑ Biographies : Chief Master Sgt. Thomas B. Mazzone. Macdill.af.mil. Retrieved on 2013-07-21.
  5. ↑ Nick Fielding and Ian Cobain, "Revealed: US spy operation that manipulates social media", guardian.co.uk, 17 March 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  6. ↑ Lewis Bazley, "Combating jihadists and free speech: How the U.S. military is using fake online profiles to spread propaganda", dailymail.co.uk, 18 March 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  7. ↑ Wing moves, begins new chapter
  8. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

Other sources

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