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Tampa, FL has a composite cost-of-living index of 91.7 based on the national average of 100, which indicates it's significantly more affordable than many other metropolitan areas than the U.S. average. However, Tampa is a high tourist destination and therefore cost-of-living can be higher than some other cities.
Car insurance rates in this area tend to be higher than other locations. Any person who has a vehicle in Florida for more than 90 days during a 365-day period must purchase Personal Injury Protection, PIP, and Property Damage Liability Insurance coverage. The 90-day window does not have to be consecutive.
Please contact the M&FRC for an Initial Waiver Fee form (saves $225) prior to transferring your car registration to Florida at FSC.frontdesk@us.af.mil
Florida runs vehicle registration based on month/day of birth and they do not prorate. Please plan accordingly when transferring registration.
May, June, July, and August are extremely high PCS months for MacDill AFB. It is very important that inbound personnel arriving during these months call the MacDill Traffic Management Flight in advance at 813-828-2600 or DSN 312-968-2600.
HURRICANE SEASON is from 1 June to 1 December. Call ahead if you are arriving at MacDill and a hurricane is predicted to hit this area. Monitor the Weather Channel and contact your sponsor or unit for additional information.
It is important to update your and your family's information on the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System, AFPAAS, https://afpaas.af.mil. Make it a practice to use sunscreen (especially children). Be alert for snakes and alligators when you walk in wooded or marshy areas.
Relocation Information
Coming to MacDill? Please email the Military and Family Readiness Center at FSC.frontdesk@us.af.mil
ID Card Information:
For details on obtaining/renewing a Military ID card at the MPF (Military Personnel Flight).
Defense Service Network Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense. Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial number 813-828-1110. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.
The MacDill AFB is an Air Mobility Command (AMC) base, capable of rapidly projecting air-refueling power anywhere in the world. Organized into four groups to carry out a two-fold mission of air refueling and airlift support to the two Unified Commands based at MacDill. MacDill is home to the United States Central Command and United States Special Operations Command and 51 other tenant units.
MacDill Air Force Base has over 7,400 active-duty military members on base and more than 9,000 civilians/contractors.
The current metro area population of Tampa in 2025 is over 3.4 million.
MacDill teammates include 927th ARW, USCENTCOM, USSOCOM, JCSE, 34 mission partners and 57 coalition nations.
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!
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). REAL ID is required.
Contact number: 813-828-2737
*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.
Transporation Incentive Program - provides free monthly express HARTline bus passes to commuters who live in certain communities. The TIP program is managed by the 6th Comproller Sqyadron, Financial Services Office in bldg. 149 on Hillsborough Loop. After identifying the service or bus route that will best serve you, please e-mail finance.services@macdill.af.mil to get a copy of the application.
For express bus schedules within Hillsborough county, visit www.gohart.org and click on "Maps/Schedules," and then "Commuter Express." For those who live in other places in the greater Tampa area, TIP also offers a vanpool program. The van pool program provides commuters, in groups of five or more, funding to secure a passenger van for their daily commute.
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.
Contact the Base Operator at 813-828-1110 or DSN 312-968-1110