MacDill AFB Florida
Operated by the Air Force, MacDill AFB is located close to Tampa, on the western side of Florida. It hosts over 3000 military troops, as well as 12000 other soldiers belonging to over 50 mission partners and associate troops. The base is known for its full support for air fueling operations, regardless of the location anywhere in the world.
History
The base history begins in 1939, when it was built and opened as the Southeast Air Base. It is now named in the memory of Leslie MacDill, a World War I hero who died in a plane crash close to Anacostia. He is better known for his support in building an air training school in France. As a military base, the area was known since the battles between Spain and the United States of America. It was turned into an actual military base only when it was taken over by the War Department. The facility was first operated by the Air Defense Command. Its primary mission was to deal with the defensive air strategies around the United States of America.
The first two units to use this base as a home back then were the 44-th Bombardment Group and the 29-th Bombardment Group. Both these groups played a major role throughout World War II, in sinking plenty of German warships in the Atlantic Ocean. Prior to the war, the groups were involved in a few missions in Philippines referred to as Project X. Over World War II, the base was taken over by the US Navy and its mission changed to training pilots for the deployment in various war theaters in the world. Starting with 1944, a new task fell on the shoulders of this base, when the 11-th Photographic Group joined in to perform mapping operations around the USA and Africa. When the war ended, the base became a returning spot for the troops sent overseas.
MacDill AFB was significantly improved during the Cuban crisis from 1962. The US government was planning an invasion of Cuba, but the situation was later solved and the missiles were never launched.
During the ’90s, a base realignment and closure commission decided to cease the training operations due to the disturbing noise and discomfort caused to the surrounding human communities. The base saw a potential closure at the 2005 BRAC commission too, but it was spared. In 2011, the media released some news about the US government creating some online virtual characters to counter the terrorism threats. According to the journalists, these operations were run from MacDill AFB.
Units
MacDill AFB hosts the 6-th Air Mobility Wing and 53 mission partners. The 6-th Air Mobility Wing has 4 groups and a few staff agencies.
Housing
The housing system at MacDill AFB provides help and assistance to all the newcomers, whether you are deployed there for long or short periods of time, with or without your family. The ones bringing in their families will have to fill up an application, as well as the single soldiers looking for a single home.
Location: 27.8522, -82.5081
Phone: (813) 828-1110
DSN: 968-1110December 17, 2011
Housing for Rent Nearby
If you are or were in the military you could be eligible for a VA loan. That entails lower than market rates to help you buy a home rather than renting!
1844 Sq. Ft.
1410 Sq. Ft.
$825 Monthly 1302 Sq. Ft.
$1095 Monthly 1500 Sq. Ft.
$1095 Monthly 1200 Sq. Ft.
$1095 Monthly 1160 Sq. Ft.
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