MacDill AFB | Base Overview & Info (2024)

MacDill Teammates include 927th ARW, USCENTCOM, USSOCOM, JCSE, 33 Mission Partners and 57 Coalition Nations.

• Joint Service Active Duty 19,900
• Joint Service Civilians 7,000
• Family Members 34,600
• Retirees 133,032

MacDill Air Force Base is located eight miles south of Tampa, Florida on the Southwestern tip of the Interbay Peninsula in Hillsborough County. The region is often referred to as "Tampa Bay," which is a seven-county region on Florida's west coast offering a diversity of communities. The counties of Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota come together to shape a vibrant market where lifestyle options reflect all the best Florida has to offer. Whether you seek big city downtown living, quiet golf course communities, a waterfront lifestyle, majestic horse farms, or historic neighborhoods - the communities of Tampa Bay provide a mix like no where else in the country. The cost of living is higher than most cities in the South. The MacDill Operator phone number is 813-828-1110 or DSN 312-968-1110. Become a https://www.facebook.com/MacDillAirForceBase/fan, you can also follow us on Twitter, and Instagram.

MacDill was named after Colonel Leslie MacDill. MacDill Army Base was officially activated on April 16, 1941. The first mission was training airmen in the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-26 Marauder aircraft. Increasing tensions in 1961 led to the activation of the U.S. Strike Command, headquartered at MacDill. MacDill became a Tactical Air Command Training Base with the F-4s and then F-16s. The last F-16s left the base in 1994 and the base had no active duty aircraft for the first time. The 6th Air Mobility Wing was activated October 1, 1996, with the arrival of 12 KC-135 Stratotankers. MacDill AFB was a strategic center for such military operations as Just Cause in Panama, Desert Shield and Storm in the Persian Gulf, and Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. For more history visit MacDill AFB's homepage.

The Tampa Bay area is supported by two major airports, Tampa International Airport and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. Among North American airports, Tampa International Airport was ranked #1 by the annual Airport Service Quality Awards. Tampa International is most used airport of the two, by incoming members and their families. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport - Tampa Bay's most convenient gateway to and from St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Pinellas County's world famous beaches!

• There are no military shuttles that run from the airport to the base.
• There are variety of ground transportation options between Tampa International Airport and the base. Choose from various companies under public transportation, bus service, rental cars, shared ride, and taxis. The cab fares from Tampa International Airport to MacDill AFB are approximately $45from St. Petersburg/Clearwater to MacDill- $55.
• Uber and Lyft can transport passengers on MacDill AFB, with extra security requirement upon entery.

Driving Directions from Tampa International Airport

Exit the Airport, take the Spruce exit to Dale Mabry, and turn right onto South Dale Mabry. South Dale Mabry will end at the MacDill Main Gate.

The Dale Mabry Gate is considered the Main Gate, and is open 24 hour, 7 days per week. If you arrive after 4:30 p.m. or on weekends or holidays, go to the 24-hour arrival point, the MacDill Inn, located in Building #350, 7637 Bayshore Drive, MacDill AFB, FL 33621.

The Trusted Traveler Program for MacDill AFB has been SUSPENDED.

If you plan to enter the installation with someone who does NOT have a valid base access credential (ie. DOD identification card, DBIDS card, or visitor pass), please stop at the Visitor Control Center to get them a pass prior to entering the gate (white building just at the entrance to the gate).

contact number: 813-828-2737

• Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

*When the visitor center is closed, passes can be issued at the main gate.

All military, government civilians and dependents using commercial transportation to base facilities must present valid military/DoD identification cards upon reaching the Dale Mabry Gate or be denied entry. Taxi, shared ride, and limousine drivers must possess a valid Public Vehicle Driver’s License (PVDL) in order to be granted access to the installation (PVDL will be surrendered to the gate entry upon arrival and will be returned at departure). All vehicles and drivers are subject to inspections at all times while on the installation.

When you arrive at MacDill Air Force Base, your first step is to contact your unit. Your supervisor or sponsor will direct you to your specific Unit In-Processing point of contact.

From Ocala: Follow I-75 South to US-92 E/W Gandy Blvd. From FL-618 Toll/Selmon Expressway, take exit 1A on the left onto US 92 E. Gandy Blvd, toward MacDill AFB. Take a slight left turn onto W Gandy Blvd toward MacDill AFB. Turn right onto S. Dale Mabry toward MacDill AFB.

From Orlando: From I 4 Merge onto FL 618 W/Roy Selmon Expressway Way. Merge onto US -92 E/W Gandy Blvd via Exit 1A on the left toward MacDill AFB. Take the FL 573 S ramp toward MacDill AFB. Turn slight right onto S. Dale Mabry Highway/FL-573.

From Miami: Take I 95 N to the Florida Turnpike, take exit 54 to I -595 - take exit for I 75 toward Naples. Take exit 256 for SR-619-TOLL//Crosstown Expressway. Take exit 1B right to S. Dale Mabry to MacDill Main Gate.

Base Taxi is provided to members for official appointment, call 813-828-5282.

The Department of Defense provides a tax-free transit subsidy for all employees of up to $230 per month that can be used to pay for vanpooling. Military Vanpool is a vanpool option at MacDill, for routes visit the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority.

FREE Local and Express bus service is provided to Active Duty members and DOD employees via the HART Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority. For route and schedule information about public transportation destinations throughout Hillsborough County, visit HART. The cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater also provide public transportation.