MacDill AFB

MacDill Air Force Base, located near Tampa, Florida, was established in 1939 as Southeast Air Base, Tampa, and later named in honor of Colonel Leslie MacDill. During World War II, the base served as a vital training location for bomber crews, particularly for B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-26 Marauders. In the Cold War era, MacDill became a Strategic Air Command base, hosting B-47 Stratojets and KC-135 Stratotankers. Today, MacDill AFB is home to the 6th Air Refueling Wing and serves as headquarters for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), playing a crucial role in global military operations.