MacDill Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Tampa, Florida
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

MacDill Air Force Base is located on a peninsula in Tampa Bay at the southern tip of Tampa, Florida. Established in 1941 and named after Colonel Leslie MacDill, a pioneering Army Air Corps aviator killed in a 1938 aircraft accident, the base has evolved from a World War II training facility into one of the most strategically important military installations in the world. MacDill is home to two of the most prominent unified combatant commands — U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) — as well as the 6th Air Refueling Wing, making it a hub of joint military operations, strategic planning, and air refueling operations.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Aerial refueling operations in support of global mobility and combatant command requirements, while serving as the headquarters installation for USCENTCOM and USSOCOM.
Major Units:
6th Air Refueling Wing (host wing, KC-135 Stratotanker)
6th Operations Group
6th Maintenance Group
6th Mission Support Group
6th Medical Group
91st Air Refueling Squadron
310th Air Refueling Squadron (Air Force Reserve)
U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) — Unified Combatant Command responsible for the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia
U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) — Unified Combatant Command overseeing all U.S. special operations forces
Tenant Units: Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE); U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command; Army Special Operations Command elements; numerous joint and coalition partner nation liaison offices; Defense Intelligence Agency elements; various other DoD agencies

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Tampa, FL (the base is within the Tampa city limits, approximately 7 miles from downtown Tampa)
Nearest Commercial Airport: Tampa International Airport (TPA), approximately 8 miles northwest — a major international hub
Gate Access: MacDill AFB has several gates; the Main Gate (Dale Mabry Gate) is the primary access point and is staffed 24/7 for CAC holders. Visitor Control Center processes visitor passes for non-CAC holders during duty hours. Real ID-compliant identification required. Contact 6th Security Forces Squadron for current gate hours and visitor procedures.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 15,000 to 17,000 (across all services given the large combatant command presence)
Family Members: Approximately 18,000 to 22,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 5,000 to 7,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 40,000 to 50,000 (including contractors and all supported commands)

Key Facilities

Medical: 6th Medical Group — comprehensive outpatient facility with primary care, dental, mental health, pharmacy, optometry, and specialty clinics; major surgical and inpatient care referred to James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital or Tampa General Hospital; Tricare network coverage is excellent throughout the Tampa Bay area
Commissary: Yes — large, full-service commissary serving the substantial installation population
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large Base Exchange (BX) with full retail, food court, multiple specialty stores, car care, gas station, and other concessions; one of the larger BX facilities in the Air Force
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers; outdoor pools; tennis and racquetball courts; golf course (MacDill Golf Course — 18 holes on a waterfront setting); marina and water sports; bowling center; youth sports; outstanding recreation facilities befitting the installation’s size
Schools: Hillsborough County Public Schools serves military dependents; no DoDEA school on installation; several high-performing public schools in the surrounding area; numerous private school options in Tampa Bay
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on base; high demand given the large population; waitlists are common — families should apply for CDC enrollment immediately upon receipt of PCS orders; School Age Program and Family Child Care homes also available
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base — services for military working dogs and eligible beneficiaries; appointments required; extensive civilian veterinary options throughout Tampa Bay
Legal Assistance / JAG: Staff Judge Advocate office on base — comprehensive legal assistance available by appointment; powers of attorney and notary services typically available on a walk-in basis; one of the larger JAG offices in the Air Force due to the multi-command environment

Housing

On-Base Housing: Managed by Hunt Companies; multiple neighborhoods with a variety of home sizes from 2 to 4+ bedrooms; housing is on a peninsula with waterfront views in some areas; overall quality is generally good with ongoing improvements
Average Wait Time: Varies by grade; can range from 30 to 120+ days for some grades due to high demand; senior officer and senior enlisted housing may have different availability
Off-Base Housing: South Tampa, Westchase, Carrollwood, Brandon, and Riverview are popular communities; South Tampa is the closest and most expensive neighborhood; average rent for a 3-bedroom home ranges from approximately $2,000 to $3,500 per month depending on location (2024 estimates); home purchase prices in South Tampa can be very high; more affordable options exist further from base
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Sponsors assigned through gaining unit or command; contact your gaining organization upon receipt of orders; given the multi-command environment, sponsorship procedures vary by unit
In-Processing: Report to the 6th Mission Support Group and Military Personnel Flight for Air Force members; joint service in-processing procedures apply for other service members assigned to combatant commands; allow 3 to 5 business days for standard Air Force in-processing
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through the 6th Medical Group EFMP office; the Tampa Bay area has extensive civilian specialist resources; enrollment required prior to PCS for eligible family members — contact EFMP coordinator early in the process

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical; hot and humid summers (highs 90 to 95 degrees F with high humidity); mild winters (highs 70 to 75 degrees F); significant afternoon thunderstorm activity in summer; hurricane risk (hurricane season June through November)
Cost of Living: Moderate to moderately high — Tampa has seen significant cost increases in recent years but remains more affordable than most major coastal cities; no state income tax in Florida; housing is the primary cost driver
Nearby Attractions: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay; Florida Aquarium; Ybor City (historic district, restaurants, nightlife); St. Pete/Clearwater beaches (some of the best beaches in the U.S.); Walt Disney World and Universal Studios (approximately 75 miles east)
Spouse Employment: Excellent job market in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area; major sectors include healthcare (Tampa General, AdventHealth, Moffitt Cancer Center), finance and insurance, defense contracting, technology, tourism and hospitality, and education; the large military presence creates additional demand for defense industry jobs

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.macdill.af.mil/
Main Installation Phone: (813) 828-1110
MWR Website: https://www.macdilifss.com/ (6th Force Support Squadron)
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), 6th Force Support Squadron — contact via main installation directory or (813) 828-3422 (verify current number upon arrival)

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: Training knowledge base; https://www.macdill.af.mil/; DTMO BAH reference, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law