History MacDill Air Force Base

1 history

1.1 initial uses
1.2 world war ii
1.3 strategic air command

1.3.1 307th bombardment group
1.3.2 306th bombardment wing
1.3.3 305th bombardment wing
1.3.4 alert detachment operations


1.4 air defense command / aerospace defense command
1.5 tactical air command

1.5.1 12th tactical fighter wing
1.5.2 15th tactical fighter wing
1.5.3 cuban missile crisis
1.5.4 1st tactical fighter wing
1.5.5 56th tactical fighter wing / 56th tactical training wing


1.6 post cold war , brac 1991

1.6.1 6th air mobility wing , 927th air refueling wing (associate)
1.6.2 tenant units
1.6.3 super bowl flyovers
1.6.4 cyberwarfare


1.7 brac 2005
1.8 additional kc-135 aircraft 6 amw / 927 arw
1.9 departure of noaa aircraft operations center
1.10 previous names
1.11 major commands assigned
1.12 base operating units
1.13 major units assigned

1.13.1 world war ii
1.13.2 world war ii training units assigned
1.13.3 postwar units
1.13.4 united states air force

history

colonel leslie macdill

macdill afb established in 1939 southeast air base, tampa. named in honor of colonel leslie macdill (1889–1938). world war aviator in u.s. army air service, colonel macdill killed in crash of north american bc-1 on 8 november 1938 @ anacostia, dc. during world war i, commanded aerial gunnery school in st jean de monte, france.

there several dates surrounding history , official establishment of installation become macdill afb. official records report establishment date of 24 may 1939, date construction began 6 september 1939, date of beneficial occupancy 11 march 1940 , formal dedication 16 april 1941. last date associated age of base. renamed macdill field on 1 december 1939.

iii bomber command, bombardment arm of 3d air force, headquartered @ macdill field.

initial uses

1943 macdill field

after war in europe had broken out in september 1939, fears of nazi u-boats attacking american merchant shipping in gulf of mexico concern of war department , navy department. though united states @ peace, lend lease shipments of war goods england , establishment of army , navy bases in caribbean sea south of florida brought fears of u-boat attacks on shipping in gulf, oil tankers refineries in texas , louisiana.

flying operations @ macdill began in 1941 base s first mission being defense of gulf of mexico. aircraft , men housed @ drew army airfield until runways @ macdill built. despite these obstacles, flying operations commenced on 7 february 1941. hundreds of troops lived in mosquito-infested tent city @ field while barracks being built. official flag-raising ceremony sponsored tampa elk s lodge on 16 june 1941.

air defense of tampa bay area mission of 53d pursuit group (interceptor), established @ macdill field on 15 january 1941. equipped seversky p-35, 53d flew air defense patrols until japanese attack on pearl harbor. reassigned vi fighter command @ howard field, canal zone provide air defense of panama canal.

the 29th bombardment group moved macdill field langley field, virginia on 21 may 1940. lieutenant colonel vincent j. meloy, commander of 29th bombardment group, led first flight of aircraft macdill on 17 january 1941. consisted of fourteen aircraft flown langley field macdill field: 3 b-17s, 2 a-17s, , 9 b-18s. group flew antisubmarine patrols on eastern gulf waters until june 1942 when group transitioned b-24 liberator operational training unit , assigned ii bomber command @ gowen field, idaho.

the 44th bombardment group activated @ macdill field on 15 january 1941 equipped consolidated b-24a liberator. liberator ordered royal air force lb-30 or liberator i. these aircraft destined raf coastal command use in battles against u-boat menace. normal operating range of 2400 miles, liberators doubled effective range of b-18 , fly long anti-submarine patrols equipped large bomb load attack submarines if spotted. patrols flown on atlantic coast east of florida. after 7 december 1941 japanese attack on pearl harbor, 44th reassigned barksdale field, louisiana.

in addition antisubmarine mission, prewar mission of macdill field project x, ferrying of combat aircraft eastward philippines via ferrying routes set ferrying command on south atlantic ocean , central africa. aircraft ferried via india australia planned used reinforce philippines air force. these operations began in february 1941 , performed 6th , 43d bombardment squadron flying b-18 bolo , b-17 flying fortress. in 60 days, 15 lb-30 , 63 b-17 aircraft departed macdill via south atlantic , africa australia.

world war ii

the thunderbird, magazine printed quarterly @ macdill army air field, summer 1944 edition



a southern-oriented image of macdill airfield taken during world war ii (note image inverted)



martin b-26b marauder, aaf ser. no. 42-92142, of 596th bomb squadron, 397th bomb group, on europe in 1944. 397th bomb group stationed @ macdill field in 1943.



lockheed-vega b-17f-40-ve fortress, aaf ser. no. 42-6001, in maintenance hangar @ macdill field, florida, 1944



b-17g flying fortresses taxiing @ macdill aaf, florida, 1944



b-17 tail position maintenance – macdill aaf florida – 1944

with united states s entry world war ii, primary mission of macdill field became training of bombardment units under iii bomber command. in june 1942, 21st bombardment group assigned b-26 marauder medium bombers operational training unit (otu). main training unit, group flew antisubmarine patrols on gulf of mexico.

it b-26 earned slogan 1 day in tampa bay due number of model b-26 aircraft ditched or crashed tampa bay waters surrounding macdill field. models of b-26 aircraft proved hard fly , land many pilots due short wings, high landing speeds, , fighter plane maneuverability. improvements block 10 version of aircraft, known b-26b-10, added 6 feet of additional wingspan , upgraded engines eliminated of these problems. 9 of twelve combat groups flew b-26 in europe activated , trained @ macdill , in combat b-26 enjoyed lowest loss rate of allied bomber.

in addition, macdill field provided transitional training in b-17 flying fortress. first eighth air force flying fortress groups trained @ macdill prior deployment england in summer of 1942. also, command , control organizations eighth air force organized , equipped @ macdill in 1942. heavy bomber training ended in july 1942 b-17 group training mission reassigned ii bomber command , moved midwest , western states.

estimates of number of crew members trained @ base during war vary 50,000 120,000, many 15,000 troops stationed @ macdill field @ 1 time. contingent of women s army corps (wac) troops arrived in 1943. base provided various forms of entertainment including band concerts, live performers, , movie theater.

two films made in tampa during world war ii wartime themes: guy called joe (1943) starred spencer tracy , had scenes shot @ macdill; air force (1943) starred john garfield , had scenes shot @ drew field. in latter film, macdill-based b-26s painted japanese bombers, , although entire tampa bay area defenses alerted this, u.s. coast guard still shot @ planes flew on gulf.

in late 1943, when second air force began transitioning b-29 superfortress training, b-17 mission returned macdill, continued through end of world war ii. result, 21st bombardment group disbanded on 10 october 1943 , operational training unit (otu) performed b-17 training, 488th bombardment group (heavy), activated in november 1943 4 bombardment training squadrons.

in administrative reorganization hq army air force on 1 may 1944, numbered training units in zone of interior (zi) (continental united states) re-designated army air force base units . @ macdill, 488th bomb group redesignated 326th army air forces base unit (heavy bombardment) , b-17 training squadron tail codes designated h, j, k, , l .

beginning in january 1944, 11th photographic group used macdill mission of photographic mapping in , sent detachments carry out similar operations in africa, cbi theater, near , middle east, mexico, canada, alaska, , caribbean. unit flew mixture of b-17, b-24, b-25, b-29, f-2, f-9, f-10, , a-20 aircraft equipped cartographic cameras. 11th pg inactivated in october 1944, being replaced several intelligence , mapping training units @ airfield 1945 through 1948.

several bases in florida, including macdill, aso served detention centers german prisoners-of-war (pows) in latter part of 1944 , 1945. @ apex, 488 german pows interned @ macdill.

in february 1945, 323d combat crew training wing (very heavy bomber) established @ base mission of training b-29 superfortress aircrews. first training class began @ end of february , b-29 superfortress arrived @ macdill field on 26 january 1945, additional aircraft arriving during spring , summer , first b-29 aircrew graduating in may. on 16 april 1945, macdill assigned continental air command , became primary training facility aircrew assigned b-29 superfortress.

on 24 june 1945 hurricane hit tampa bay area, , b-17 aircraft evacuated vichy army airfield, missouri. @ end of june 1945, b-17 replacement crew training ended @ base. end of war in europe , b-17 being used exclusively in europe, need replacement personnel eighth , fifteenth air force ended.

the 326th army air forces base unit reorganized army air forces separation (326th aafbu (separation station) ) unit process military demobilizations. demobilization , separation functions became major mission @ macdill in fall of 1945, however, lack of personnel main inhibiting factor. on 1 january 1946, closure of drew army airfield, demobilization , separation activities performed 301st army air forces base unit (separation station) @ drew transferred macdill field, separation station remaining open until december 1949.

with end of hostilities in september 1945, training b-29 aircrew training program began scale down , base became reception facility returning twentieth air force bomb groups 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 war led these units inactivated during 1946. headquarters, iii fighter command moved drew field in december 1945 , both iii bomber , iii fighter commands inactivated on 8 april 1946.

strategic air command
307th bombardment group

b-29a-75-bn superfortress, af ser. no. 44-62328 @ raf lakenheath, england, 1948. note black square sac postwar tail code, along postwar buzz code

on 21 march 1946, continental air command redesignated strategic air command (sac). on 4 august 1946, sac activated 307th bombardment group (very heavy) host unit @ macdill, equipped boeing b-29 superfortresses. known initial operational squadrons of group 370th, 371st , 372d bombardment squadrons.

the group selected sac s first antisubmarine unit in december 1946. precursor similar sac units, group began training other sac combat units in anti-submarine warfare , operational procedures until mission became solely assumed u.s. navy. in february 1947, group began operating b-29 transition training school , standardized combat training sac units, , in september 1947, bomb group , base became u.s. air force organization , installation divestment u.s. army , establishment of air force independent branch of u.s. armed forces.

the unit redesignated 307th bombardment wing, medium on 12 july 1948. under wing designation, 306th bombardment group (effective 12 august 1948) , 307th bombardment group (effective 12 july 1948) attached wing. brought 3 additional operational squadrons (367th, 368th , 369th bombardment squadrons) under wing s command. in 1952, 307th bombardment wing bestowed lineage, honors , history of usaaf 307th bombardment group of world war ii fame.

on 1 september 1950, 307th bomb group 3 squadrons of b-29s deployed far east air force (feaf) bomber command, provisional @ kadena air base, okinawa, engaging in combat operations during korean war. kadena, 307th staged attacks against rapidly advancing communist forces in south korea. while in okinawa, 307th awarded republic of korea presidential unit citation air strikes against enemy forces in korea. awarded distinguished unit citation , several campaign streamers.

the 307th bg returned deployment on 10 february 1951, however, elements of group remained deployed in okinawa on permanent basis. later in 1951, b-29s of group @ macdill replaced boeing b-50d superfortress.

also on 1 september 1950, 306th bomb group transferred newly activated 306th bombardment wing @ macdill , continued wing s training mission.

the 307th bomb wing inactivated @ macdill on 16 june 1952 , 307th bomb group permanently reassigned kadena air base upon inactivation of wing @ macdill.

306th bombardment wing

b-47 era macdill afb postcard



three aircraft formation of b-47e stratojets of 306th bombardment wing af ser. no. 52-545 in foreground.

on 1 september 1950, 306th bombardment wing activated @ macdill afb , became sac s first operational b-47 jet bomber wing. upon activation, operational units of wing 367th, 368th , 369th bombardment squadrons under 306th bombardment group, transferred 307th bmw.

deliveries of new boeing b-47a stratojet air force , strategic air command began in december 1950 , aircraft entered service in may 1951 306th bombardment wing. 306th intended act training unit prepare future b-47 crews. such, b-47as training aircraft , not considered being combat ready. none of b-47as ever saw operational duty in front line sac combat squadrons.

on 19 november 1951, 306th received first operational boeing b-47b , christened real mccoy in honor of colonel michael n. w. mccoy, usaf, wing commander of 306th flew boeing wichita plant macdill. during 1952, 306th developed combat procedures , techniques new bomber , wing emerged leader in jet bombardment tactics , strategies.

the first boeing kc-97e stratofreighter assigned strategic air command delivered 306th air refueling squadron @ macdill on 14 july 1951. in-flight refueling operations started in may 1952 kc-97s refueling b-47s on operational training missions leading toward combat-ready status.

in 1953, 306th became first operational b-47 bombardment wing. wing became backbone of nuclear deterrence strategy maintaining high levels of ground alert in , @ overseas bases. wing awarded air force outstanding unit award role pioneer , leader in jet bombardment tactics. b-47bs 306th bomb wing began 90-day rotational training mission england in june 1953, marking first overseas deployment of b-47. captain (major selectee) glenn a. mcconnell led first 4 b-47s raf brize norton, uk. role in advancing jet bombardment tactics, wing again awarded air force outstanding unit award. additional deployments made raf fairford england, june – september 1953, , @ ben guerir ab, french morocco (later morocco), january – february 1955, october 1956 – january 1957 , october 1957.

in 1954, sac designated specific air refueling organizations , 306th air refueling squadron became ready support b-47 operations across command. during 1954, more advanced b-47es, equipped ejection seats, improved electronics , white reflective paint scheme on underside of fuselage, replaced 306th bmw b-47bs.

during 1954–55, macdill afb , wing served backdrop part of paramount pictures film strategic air command starring james stewart , june allyson, portion of filmed in , around both 305th bombardment wing , 306th bombardment wing areas , b-47 aircraft @ macdill afb.

as sac s b-47s being phased out of inventory, inactivation planning of 306th bmw began. phase down , transfer of b-47s started, , 15 february 1963 wing no longer capable of fulfilling part of strategic war plan. on 1 april 1963, sac inactivated 306th bmw @ macdill , reactivated same day @ mccoy afb, florida b-52d stratofortress , kc-135a stratotanker heavy bombardment wing. mccoy afb former pinecastle afb, having been renamed after colonel michael n. w. mccoy following death in b-47 mishap northwest of downtown orlando, florida in 1957 while in command of 321st bombardment wing @ pinecastle.

305th bombardment wing

on 2 january 1951, 305th bombardment wing activated @ macdill afb , became second strategic air command wing receive b-47 jet bomber. operational squadrons of wing 305th, 364th, 365th , 366th bombardment squadrons. training boeing b-29 , b-50 superfortresses, 305th received first boeing kc-97 stratofreighter later in 1951. following this, group began training heavily in new dual mission of strategic bombardment , aerial refueling.

the 809th air division (809th ad) took on host unit responsibilities macdill afb on 16 june 1952. 809th ad consisted of 305th , 306th bombardment wings, both assigned base.

in june 1952, 305th upgraded all-jet boeing b-47b stratojet. wing continued strategic bombardment , refueling operations macdill , deployed overseas 3 times, once england (september–december 1953) , twice north africa (november 1955 – january 1956 , january – march 1957), in keeping mission of global bombardment , air refueling operations. 2 wing b-47s set speed records on 28 july 1953 when 1 flew rcaf goose bay, labrador, raf fairford, england, in 4:14 hours , other flew limestone afb, maine, raf fairford in 4:45 hours.

in may 1959, 305th bomb wing b-47s reassigned bunker hill afb, later renamed grissom afb, indiana. 809th ad inactivated on 1 june 1959 reassignment of 305th bomb wing.

alert detachment operations

although control of macdill afb pass sac tac in 1960s, sac continued maintain periodic presence @ macdill in form of dispersal alert operations of b-52 , kc-135 aircraft other sac bombardment wings, utilizing extant sac alert facility @ macdill. these operations continued until 1980s.

air defense command / aerospace defense command

air defense command (adc) became major tenant unit @ macdill in 1954 establishment of mobile radar station on base support permanent adc radar network in united states sited around perimeter of country. deployment projected operational mid-1952. funding, constant site changes, construction, , equipment delivery delayed deployment.

this site @ macdill, designated m-129 became operational on 1 august 1954 when 660th aircraft control , warning squadron assigned base 35th air division. macdill became first operational mobile radar under first phase of program. 660th acws used an/mps-7 radar , 1958 macdill had an/gps-3 , an/mps-14 radars. during following year, an/gps-3 , an/mps-7 sets replaced an/fps-20a search , an/fps-6b height-finder sets.

during 1961, macdill afb joined semi automatic ground environment (sage) system, feeding data site dc-09 @ gunter afb, alabama. after joining sage, squadron redesignated 660th radar squadron (sage) on 1 march 1961. in 1961, an/fps-7b assumed search duties , additional height-finder radar added in form of an/fps-26.

in 1963, an/fps-90 height-finder radar replaced an/fps-6b, , on 31 july 1963 site redesignated norad id z-129. in addition main facility, z-129 operated several unmanned gap filler sites:

winter garden, florida (m-129a): 28°29′24″n 081°30′29″w / 28.49000°n 81.50806°w / 28.49000; -81.50806 (m-129a)
inverness, florida (m-129b): 28°41′17″n 082°24′06″w / 28.68806°n 82.40167°w / 28.68806; -82.40167 (m-129b)

in 1966, an/fps-26 modified an/fss-7 submarine-launched ballistic missile detection , warning (slbm d&w) radar, part of 14th missile warning squadron. around 1966, site z-129 became joint-use facility federal aviation administration (faa) , search radar modified an/fps-7e model. in 1968, adc redesignated aerospace defense command (adc). in 1979, site z-129 came under tactical air command (tac) jurisdiction inactivation of adc , activation of air defense, tactical air command (adtac). adtac inactivated on 15 november 1980 , subsumed within tac.

the fss-7 (the final such system in usaf inventory) remained in use year after host 660th radar squadron inactivated , reassigned det 1, 20th missile warning squadron. ground-to-air transmitter/receiver (gatr) site retained until joint surveillance system (jss) switch-over circa 1984, radios being maintained 1928th communications squadron of air force communications command (afcc).

tactical air command

the first attempt close macdill afb made in 1960, when impending phaseout of sac s b-47 bombers caused listed surplus , slated closure. however, cuban missile crisis of 1962 highlighted base s strategic location , usefulness staging area. result, cuts stayed , base re-purposed tactical mission fighter aircraft. in response cuban missile crisis, united states strike command (usstricom) established @ macdill crisis response force; 1 of first unified commands, command draws manpower , equipment branches of u.s. military.

in 1962, macdill afb transferred sac tactical air command (tac). bomber aircraft remain home based @ macdill until 306th bombardment wing s transfer mccoy afb , sac continue maintain tenant presence @ macdill through 1980s, utilizing alert facility dispersal location b-52 , kc-135 aircraft. practical purposes, 1960s marked macdill s transition bomber-centric sac base fighter-centric tac installation. under tac, macdill afb remained fighter base 30 years, other changes went on in background.

12th tactical fighter wing

upon macdill afb s transfer tac, 12th tactical fighter wing reactivated on 17 april 1962 , assigned ninth air force (9 af). initially, operational squadron 559th tactical fighter squadron. mission of 12th tfw prepared tactical worldwide deployments , operations. until 1964, wing flew obsolete republic f-84f thunderjets reclaimed air national guard.

in january 1964, wing chosen first air force combat wing convert new mcdonnell-douglas f-4c phantom ii. expanded follows:

557th tactical fighter squadron
558th tactical fighter squadron
559th tactical fighter squadron
555th tactical fighter squadron

(activated on 8 january 1964 part of wing transition 3 squadrons of 25 aircraft each 4 squadrons of 18 aircraft each.)

the wing involved in f-4c firepower demonstrations, exercises and, ultimately, @ paris air show. conflict in southeast asia escalating , throughout 1965 wing supported pacific air forces (pacaf) contingency operations rotating combat squadrons quarterly naha air base in ryuku islands. 12th tfw began permanent deployment first air force expeditionary airfield @ cam ranh bay air base, south vietnam on 6 november 1965.

12th tfw combat squadrons scheduled deployment vietnam 555th, 557th , 558th tfs. ultimately, 559th tfs took place of 555th when squadron diverted second tdy 51st fighter-interceptor wing @ naha air base, okinawa, followed reassignment 8th tfw @ ubon royal thai air force base, thailand. still later 555th assigned 432d trw @ udon royal thai air force base.

15th tactical fighter wing

mcdonnell douglas f-4e-35-mc phantom ii, af ser. no. 67-0305 of 43d tfs.

on 17 april 1962, 15th tactical fighter wing activated @ macdill , assigned ninth air force. operational squadrons of wing , squadron tail codes were:

45th tactical fighter squadron (fc)
46th tactical fighter squadron (fd)
47th tactical fighter squadron (fe)
43rd tactical fighter squadron (fb)

(activated on 8 january 1964 part of wing transition 3 squadrons of 25 aircraft each 4 squadrons of 18 aircraft each.)

the 12th , 15th tfws constituted 836th air division @ macdill afb on 1 july 1962.

initially equipped republic f-84f thunderjet, in 1964 15th tfw subsequently upgraded tail-coded mcdonnell-douglas f-4c phantom ii.

the mission of 15th tfw conduct tactical fighter combat crew training. wing participated in variety of exercises, operations , readiness tests of tactical air command, , trained pilots , provided logistical support 12th tactical fighter wing. reorganized mission-capable unit @ time of cuban missile crisis of 1962, returned afterwards training mission.

with departure of 12th tfw in 1965, 15th tfw became host unit @ macdill unit s mission becoming formal training unit f-4 aircrews prior deployment southeast asia. wing deployed 16 f-4s seymour johnson afb, nc during uss pueblo crisis in 1968.

in 1965, wing deployed 43rd, 45th, 46th , 47th tactical fighter squadrons southeast asia, participated in air defense commitment philippines clark ab , flew combat missions cam rahn bay air base in south vietnam , ubon royal thai air force base in thailand. members of 45th tfs achieved first u.s. air force aerial victories of vietnam war when destroyed 2 migs on 10 july 1965. captains thomas s. roberts, ronald c. anderson, kenneth e. holcombe , arthur c. clark received credit these kills.

beginning on 8 february 1969, 13th bombardment squadron, tactical began martin b-57g (tail code: fk) light bomber aircrew training @ macdill. squadron inactivated on 1 october 1970 , redesignated 4424th combat crew training squadron.

also in 1970, u.s. strike command renamed united states readiness command (usredcom).

the 43rd tfs reassigned elmendorf afb, alaska on 4 january 1970 , 15th tfw inactivated on 1 october 1970, being replaced 1st tactical fighter wing (1st tfw).

cuban missile crisis

during 1962 cuban missile crisis, following units deployed macdill afb in addition assigned 12th , 15th tfws in preparation planned airstrikes on cuba:

27th tactical fighter wing, 60 f-100s

(deployed cannon afb, new mexico)
363d tac reconnaissance wing, 33 rf-101s, 31 rb-66s

(deployed shaw afb, south carolina)
622d air refueling squadron, 20 kb-50js

(aerial tankers deployed england afb, louisiana)

the macdill-based 12th , 15th tactical fighter wings subsequently designated 836th air division. 836th ad committed provide 1 hundred sorties in planned first strike. press napalm , rocket attacks against surface-to-air missile (sam) sites @ mariel , sagua la grande airfields @ santa clara, los banos , san julien.

the 836th commitment second strike provide sixty-four sorties concentrating on los banos airfield, 2 aaa sites , ssm launchers @ san diego de los vegas , pinar del rio. finally, forty-two aircraft strike los banos mig base third time , santa clara mig base, sagua la grande , mariel sam sites each second time. cuban missile confrontation resolved , air strikes, have been followed invasion of cuba, never launched.

1st tactical fighter wing

mcdonnell f-4e-31-mc phantom ii, af ser. no. 66-0295 of 94th tfs.



martin b-57g-ma, af ser. no. 53-3877 of 4530th ccts.

on 10 january 1970, 1st tactical fighter wing reassigned without personnel or equipment macdill, wing being transferred air defense command (adc) tac hamilton afb, california. initially, 1st tfw operated same tactical fighter squadron designations used 15th tfw until 1 july 1971 when redesignated 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, 1st tfw standardized of aircraft common wing tail code ff .

at macdill, 1st tfw combat-coded operational tactical fighter wing, assuming operational commitments of 15th tfw. 1st assumed f-4 transitional , replacement pilot , weapon systems officer training role in 1971, of aircrews , equipment being deployed time time in variety of tactical exercises.

on 1 july 1975, 1st tfw , operational squadrons reassigned langley afb, virginia without personnel or equipment transition f-15 eagle.

56th tactical fighter wing / 56th tactical training wing

mcdonnell f-4d-29-mc phantom ii, af ser. no. 66-0244 of 61st tfs.



general dynamics f-16a block 10b fighting falcon, af ser. no. 79-0397 of 61st tfs.

on 30 june 1975, 56th tactical fighter wing became new host unit @ macdill, being reassigned nakhon phanom royal thai air force base, thailand. operational squadrons of wing were:

61st tactical fighter squadron (former 27th tfs, yellow tail stripe)
62d tactical fighter squadron (former 73rd tfs, blue tail stripe)
63d tactical fighter squadron (former 94th tfs, red tail stripe)
13th tactical fighter squadron (white tail stripe, inactivated @ macdill during conversion f-4d f-16a/b in 1981 , reactivated @ misawa ab, japan f-16 squadron)
72nd tactical fighter squadron (black tail stripe)

(f-16a/b/c/d activated 1 july 1981, inactivated 19 june 1992)

in 1975, 56th tfw assumed f-4e aircraft of reassigned 1st tfw , aircraft tail codes changed mc .

the wing conducted f-4e replacement training pilots, weapon systems officers, , aircraft maintenance personnel , conducted service test of tac s production oriented maintenance organization (pomo) in 1976 , converted pomo concept in march 1977. in addition, wing converted f-4e f-4d between october 1977 , september 1978.

in 1980 , 1981, wing upgraded block 10 general dynamics f-16a/b fighting falcon. arrival of f-16, wing designation changed 56th tactical training wing (56 ttw) on 1 october 1981. aircraft upgraded more capable block 30 , 42 f-16c/d in 1991.

in 1983, new rapid deployment joint task force (rdjtf) activated, , in 1987 became united states central command (uscentcom). in 1987, united states special operations command (ussocom) activated @ macdill afb, occupying former facilities of usredcom.

at super bowl xviii , again @ super bowl xxv, both played @ tampa stadium, 56th tactical training wing aircraft performed flyover , missing man formation @ conclusion of national anthem.

on 1 october 1991, 56th ttw redesignated 56th fighter wing (56 fw). following inactivation of tactical air command (tac), 56 fw reassigned newly established air combat command (acc) on 1 june 1992.

post cold war , brac 1991

by 1990s , end of cold war, u.s. looking downsize military , eliminate large number of bases in united states cost-savings measure. macdill afb figured prominently in this: tampa area had seen substantial increases in commercial air traffic @ 2 international airports within ten nautical miles of macdill, creating hazardous conditions f-16 training, , noise associated high-performance jets deemed unsuitable high-density residential areas around macdill. result, 1991 defense base realignment , closure commission ordered flightline activities cease @ macdill afb 1993.

as result of brac decision, f-16 training mission , 56th fighter wing moved without personnel or equipment luke air force base, outside of phoenix, arizona, , reassigned air education , training command (aetc). wing s f-16 aircraft transferred other regular u.s. air force, air force reserve command , air national guard wings , squadrons.

6th air mobility wing , 927th air refueling wing (associate)

in august 1992, prior landfall of hurricane andrew in southern florida, 31st fighter wing (31 fw) , air force reserve s 482d fighter wing (482 fw), both based @ homestead afb, executed emergency hurricane evacuation of of flyable f-16c , f-16d aircraft, bulk of aircraft temporarily staging @ macdill. given level of destruction @ homestead afb, these fighter aircraft remained @ macdill several months thereafter.

in 1993, of local representative bill young (r-fl), flight line closure order macdill rescinded , national oceanic , atmospheric administration (noaa) transferred former aircraft operations center @ miami international airport hangar 5 @ macdill afb in order use base , flight line new home station weather reconnaissance , research flights.

on 1 january 1994, air mobility command s 6th air base wing (6 abw) stood @ macdill afb operate base , provide support services uscentcom, ussocom, , large , growing number of other tenant units, provide services transient air units. later year, base served primary staging facility operation uphold democracy in haiti.

this staging considered evidence of quality , usefulness of macdill runway , flight line, in light of high civilian air traffic levels in tampa bay area nearby tampa international airport, st. petersburg-clearwater international airport , peter o. knight airport. further congressional prodding , lobbying, macdill chosen site kc-135 air refueling mission. arrival of 12 kc-135r tankers , 91st air refueling squadron malmstrom air force base, montana, 6 abw renamed 6th air refueling wing (6 arw) on 1 october 1996.

in january 2001, 310th airlift squadron (310 as) activated @ base, flying ct-43a , ec-135y, former aircraft providing executive transport commander of united states southern command (ussouthcom) in miami , latter aircraft providing executive transport , airborne command post capabilities commanders of uscentcom , ussocom @ macdill. new c-37a aircraft delivered starting in 2001, , ct-43 , ec-135s subsequently removed service. 310th s primary mission dedicated airlift support commanders of uscentcom, ussocom , ussouthcom. addition of 310 as, wing given current designation 6th air mobility wing (6 amw).

in april 2008, pursuant base realignment , closure (brac) action, air force reserve command s 927th air refueling wing (927 arw) relocated selfridge air national guard base, michigan macdill afb, became associate wing 6 amw, flying same kc-135r aircraft.

tenant units

in late 2003/early 2004, u.s. naval forces central command vacated tampa rear headquarters @ macdill afb, complex established in 1990s following first gulf war , commanded flag officer, either upper half or lower half rear admiral concurrently assigned usnavcent/us 5th fleet deputy commander (depcomusnavcent/depcomfifthflt), , staff when not forward deployed persian gulf region. in vacating macdill afb facility, usnavcent staff activities consolidated @ comusnavcent/comfifthflt headquarters in manama, bahrain.

navcent s facility @ macdill afb subsequently turned on deputy commander, u.s. marine forces central command (depcomusmarcent), , staff. later become overall headquarters, u.s. marine forces central command, while commanding general marcent (comusmarcent) remain dual-hatted function of commanding general, marine expeditionary force (i mef) @ camp pendleton, california. late 2003 until 2012, commanding general remained in california, while marcent staff resided @ macdill afb additional forward element @ naval support activity bahrain in manama, bahrain. in 2012, comusmarcent , cg mef billets broken separate billets , comusmarcent took full-time residency in marcent s headquarters facility @ macdill afb, upgrading facility 3-star headquarters.

also in late 2004/early 2005, naval reserve center tampa vacated obsolescent waterfront location in downtown tampa, consolidated former naval reserve center st. petersburg adjacent coast guard air station clearwater, , relocated newly constructed facility on south side of macdill afb. in 2006, facility renamed navy operational support center tampa, concurrent shift in name of u.s. naval reserve u.s. navy reserve , greater integration fleet , shore establishment of regular navy. under command of active duty full-time support (fts) u.s. navy captain, nosc tampa provides administrative support navy reserve personnel assigned both local independent navy reserve units @ nosc tampa , various joint , service commands , activities @ macdill afb, cgas clearwater , marine corps reserve center tampa.

the joint communications support element (jcse) joint command headquartered @ macdill afb deploys provide en route, entry, scalable command, control, communications , computer (c4) support geographical unified combatant commands, u.s. special operations command, , other military commands , u.s. government agencies directed. on order, jcse provides additional c4 services within 72 hours support larger commander, joint task force/commander, joint special operations task force (cjtf/cjsotf) headquarters across full spectrum of operations. jcse commanded u.s. army colonel , consists of headquarters support squadron (hss), communications support detachment (csd), 3 active duty joint communications squadrons: 1st, 2nd , 3rd joint communications squadrons, , 4th joint communications squadron, 4th being u.s. army reserve squadron. located on jcse compound @ macdill afb. jcse comprised of 2 additional joint communications support squadrons air national guard: 224th joint communications support squadron (224 jcss) of georgia air national guard in brunswick, georgia, , 290th joint communications support squadron (290 jcss) of florida air national guard located in own compound separate jcse @ macdill afb.

as mentioned above, 290th joint communications support squadron (290 jcss) of florida air national guard tenant unit @ macdill afb. 290 jcss provides chairman of joint chiefs of staff-directed globally deployable, en route, , entry communications support geographic combatant commands, united states special operations command, individual u.s. armed services, other department of defense activities , combat support agencies, other u.s. government agencies, , state of florida. squadron deploys modular, scalable support large joint , combined war-fighting command , control (c2) headquarters nodes. under title 10 usc federal mission, 290 jcss associated u.s. transportation command s joint enabling capabilities command (jecc) , joint communications support element (jcse). usaf organization, 290 jcss operationally-gained air mobility command (amc). under title 32 usc state mission, squadron reports governor of florida via assistant adjutant general air (atag-air) , adjutant general (tag) of florida national guard./

the newest tenant command @ macdill afb 598th range squadron (598 rans), air combat command (acc) unit activated @ macdill afb auxiliary field @ avon park air force range, florida on 22 september 2015. 598 rans replaced detachment 1, 23d fighter group, had managed range , additional facilities @ macdill afb. 598 rans operates both avon park air force range (apafr) , 23rd wing deployed unit complex (duc) located @ macdill afb. duc separate flight line facility on west side of macdill afb transient military flight crews, maintenance crews , fighter , attack aircraft utilizing apafr. permits visiting squadrons have ready access apafr while concurrently taking advantage of more robust billeting, messing , aircraft maintenance support capabilities @ macdill afb. combination of facilities between macdill afb , apafr provides extensive, diversified , convenient training airspace , ranges unique training capabilities military air, ground , air-to-ground training. squadron s higher headquarters, 23d fighter group, located @ moody air force base, georgia.

super bowl flyovers

the flyover , missing man formations super bowl xxv, super bowl xxxv , super bowl xliii, played @ raymond james stadium, came kc-135 aircraft macdill s 6th air mobility wing, additional flyovers b-2 spirit 509th bomb wing , f-22 raptor aircraft 325th fighter wing. former flyover first super bowl flyover telecast in high definition.

cyberwarfare

in 2011, several news outlets, primaily in united kingdom, reported ntrepid, california software , hardware company, had been awarded $2.76 million u.s. government contract create false online personas counter threat of terrorism , possibly run operation macdill afb. these reports never confirmed or acknowledged u.s. military.

brac 2005

in 2005 base realignment , closure (brac) recommendations, dod recommended realign grand forks air force base, north dakota. distribute 319th air refueling wing s kc-135r aircraft 6th air mobility wing (6 amw) @ macdill afb, fl (four aircraft) , several other installations, increasing number of kc-135r aircraft assigned 6 amw twelve (12) sixteen (16) aircraft . concurrent brac decision, 6 amw host reserve association air mobility command-gained 927th air refueling wing (927 arw) of air force reserve command (afrc), latter of realigned , relocated selfridge angb, michigan macdill afb. under reserve associate arrangement, both 6 amw , 927 arw share same kc-135r aircraft, while 927 arw turn on kc-135r aircraft 127th wing (127 wg) of michigan air national guard @ selfridge angb. 927 arw began relocation selfridge angb macdill afb in 2007 , formally established @ macdill in april 2008.

additional kc-135 aircraft 6 amw / 927 arw

long range usaf plans in 2015 defense budget called macdill afb add 8 (8) additional kc-135r aircraft extant sixteen (16) kc-135rs in fy2018. 6 amw increase manning approximately 300 personnel. these additional kc-135r aircraft come other air force, air force reserve command , air national guard units transitioning kc-46a pegasus aerial refueling aircraft , timeline contingent on other units completing transition , achieving operational capability kc-46.

departure of noaa aircraft operations center

until mid-2017, macdill afb hosted aircraft operations center (aoc) of national oceanic , atmospheric administration (noaa). commissioned officers of noaa corps , noaa civil servants fly hurricane hunter missions in noaa s wp-3d orion , gulfstream iv aircraft, other research missions in these , other assigned fixed-wing , rotary-wing aircraft.

with anticipated increase in kc-135r aircraft , need additional maintenance hangar space, air force informed noaa in 2016 no longer able host noaa aircraft operations center, aircraft, , 110 noaa personnel in hangar 5 , adjacent operations building @ macdill afb. in may 2017, noaa began relocation new facility @ lakeland linder regional airport, northeast of macdill afb, completing same in june 2017.

previous names

established southeast air base, tampa, c. 24 may 1939
macdill field, 1 december 1939 (formally dedicated, 16 apr 1941)
macdill air force base, 13 january 1948

major commands assigned

base operating units

major units assigned
world war ii

hq, southeast air district (later: third air force), 18 december 1940 – january 1941
hq, iii bomber command, 15 december 1941 – 8 april 1946
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

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