The MacDill Air Force Base at Tampa, Florida, was dedicated in 1941, but its importance as a military post goes back to the Spanish-American war, when troops gathered there before being shipped to Cuba to fight against Spain. The base's strategic location has been of primary importance as it has gone through many transitions. Its various roles ranged from B-26 and B-27 training during WW II to home of the United States Strike Command following the Cuban missile crisis to F-16 training during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Currently, the base's primary purpose is as a staging area for in-air refueling, and their host organization is the 6th Air Mobility Wing.

Divisions of the 6th Air Mobility Wing

The 6th Air Mobility Wing's 3,000-person force is divided into five groups. The 6th Operations Group's mission consists of global aerial refueling, combatant commander airlifts, and specialized missions for US and allied combat and support aircraft. The 6th Maintenance Group, as its name implies, manages maintenance of aircraft, supplies, and equipment valued at more than $800 million.

The 6th Medical Group provides health care to MacDill personnel and veterans. The 6th Mission Support Group has the responsibilities of civil engineering, communications, contracting, logistics readiness, security and other services. These four groups, in turn, are supported by the Wing Staff Agencies.

The Wing Staff Agencies provides support for the personnel, in the form of legal services, civilian employment, public affairs and safety divisions, among others. The Wing Plans Office develops operational and logistical plans for the execution of the wing's worldwide mobility operations. They also monitor all deployment processes and are the executive agent for the Wing Crisis Action Team.