Every city in the world wants
whatever will produce
more than 18,000 jobs, a
payroll over one billion
dollars annually, and a yearly
economic impact of $4.9 billion
dollars for their economic well
being. Normally, it would take a
multitude of businesses to achieve
these numbers. We are fortunate to
have such a place in MacDill Air Force
Base.
This year marks the 75th anniversary
for MacDill, the only United States
military base with two four-star
commands, while the 6th Air Mobility
Wing is the actual base command. Colonel
Dan Tulley leads the Wing and handles
the day-to-day operation that covers
5,700 acres on the Interbay Peninsula
with 1,000 acres of undeveloped and
protected wetlands.
MacDill remains something of a
mystery to many of the residents of
Tampa Bay. As a result of security
restrictions, most individuals have never
been on the base or seen it in operation.
Although most years Air Fest is held
there, even those who attend the event
do not have any idea of the massive
impact that MacDill has on the Tampa
Bay area.
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The 6th Air Mobility Wing has the
overall mission of providing worldwide
air refueling and airlift support. It
also provides support to the men and
women of the U.S. Central Command
(CENTCOM) and the U.S. Special
Operations Command (SOCOM), both
of which are headquartered on the base.
In addition, MacDill hosts the 290th Joint
Communication Support Element, the
622nd Aeromedical Evacuation and the
Avon Park Force Range. Also, for the
time being, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
is based on MacDill with their hurricane
hunting aircraft. Because MacDill will be
adding more refuelers, NOAA will need
to move to another base of operations.
Hopefully, they will still remain in the
Greater Tampa Bay area.
It is interesting to note that with all of
the joint forces that are now a part of this
| MAY/JUNE 2016
country’s military, all branches of
service are represented on MacDill
AFB. Regardless of their uniforms,
these people all work together to
form the team we know as the
United States Military.
In addition to the above, there
are several hundred thousand
retired military personnel who
live locally, including many
retired four-star generals and other
high-ranking officers. Because of the
Base Exchange, as well as the excellent
military medical facilities, this base
attracts retired military from all over the
country. Proof of that comes every winter
when the campground on base becomes
so crowded with RV’s and trailers that
they had to build an additional one.
Understandingly, both sit next to the
marina and are not far from the base’s
two golf courses.
MacDill AFB is a city unto itself, yet
it spreads itself throughout the entire
Tampa Bay area. So, when you see the
flying tankers (KC-135’s) overhead,
realize that they represent just one of the
many units stationed at MacDill.
Happy Anniversary, MacDill. I’m sure
glad that you are here. 9
COMMAERNTTARY
Happy Anniversary,
MacDill
By Dick Crippen
Dick Crippen