Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
MacDill: 1950 to 2000
The Base Maneuvers Through the Years
3 F-80 Shooting Stars Fly to Korea
In February 1951, MacDill's 307th deployed to Okinawa for the Korean conflict. It was one of the first units to move its fighting forces overseas.
MacDill During Vietnam
During the Vietnam conflict, MacDill AFB provided pilot training for combat missions using F-4 Fighter Jets and B-51 Bombers. In July 1965, MacDill's 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron was the first F-4 unit in Southeast Asia, and was credited with the first air victory of the Vietnam conflict, utilizing its excellent training to down two North Vietnamese MiG-17s.
Kennedy Visits MacDill - 1963
President John F. Kennedy spoke at MacDill AFB on November 18th, 1963. Only four days later, JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.
F-16 Pilot Training
In 1979, the 56th Tactical Fighter Wing began its mission of F-16 pilot training. From 1979 to 1993, approximately half of all F-16 pilots were trained at MacDill. During Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, accelerated training programs expanded to allow many pilots to go straight from initial training to combat units in the Persian Gulf.
Rep. Young Promotes Base
From 1970 and into the 21st century, Representative C.W. (Bill) Young's strong support of MacDill AFB in the U.S. Congress has helped the base remain a critical component of the country's national defense.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Government & Politics • War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm • War, Korean • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #35 John F. Kennedy series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1951.
Location. 27° 56.714′ N, 82° 27.537′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker can be reached from North Ashley Drive north of East Whiting Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is installed at MacDill Park on the Riverwalk, in downtown Tampa. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 North Ashley Drive, Tampa FL 33602, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Today at MacDill AFB (here, next to this marker); Technology • Power • Diversity (here, next to this marker); Tampa Bay and MacDill (a few steps from this marker); The War Years (within shouting distance of this marker); History in the Air (within shouting distance of this marker); Tampa Goes to War (within shouting distance of this marker); In the Beginning... (within shouting distance of this marker); Tampa Salutes MacDill AFB (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.