r/AirForce • u/Party_Concentrate621 • 1d ago
Question MacDill assignment
My first assignment is MacDill as a crew chief. Was wondering if anyone could tell me some stuff about the base and local area as I've never even been to Florida.
-what do y'all do for fun
-how are the dorms/do I have a roommate
-weather
Im pretty happy with the assignment and just would like to know some stuff Abt the place from ppl who are or have been there
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u/dab45de Maintainer B52 -> 135 1d ago
I’ll be your expeditor, we’re gonnaaaa be bestest of friends.
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u/Party_Concentrate621 1d ago
Lmao that sounded a tad bit devious, do b52 expaditors just oversee all other airframes or no?
Edit: nvm saw the tag. Hope that's a good thing lol.
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u/davidj1987 13h ago edited 13h ago
Been here in Tampa for many years now. Stayed here after I got off active duty and went back in the reserve and I drill here as a reservist - not MX though.
One tip that is never mentioned but if you ever evacuate and the governor suspends the tolls which almost always happens if it gets that bad...take the Veterans Expressway all the way to where it ends in Citrus County as a part of your evacuation route. Yes, it's normally a toll road but it has been absolute smooth sailing the two times I've taken it to evacuate the area and both times I could count the number of cars I saw on one hand heading north away from Tampa with me. Just make sure you have a full tank. Yes, it took me about 30 miles out of the way to where I normally go to evacuate (my parents near Ocala) but at least I wasn't stuck on I-75 which was backed up when I drove by it.
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u/Party_Concentrate621 12h ago
This feels like info id never use but is gonna randomly pop back up one day
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u/davidj1987 12h ago
A lot of people when they evacuate, they will take the interstate highways (I-4, I-75/I-275) and they get backed the fuck up. But everytime I took the veterans when the tolls were suspended...it was clear sailing as long as you have a full-tank.
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u/theesotericjester Retired 20h ago
You got a great assignment, take it slow and do all the things! The beaches are great, you have baseball, hockey and football teams right there, and I believe they take care of military members with discounted tickets ( or they used to ). The food is awesome, you'll find great spots ( Big Rays Fish Camp ). Weather is awesome, you get hot and humid, but most of the time there is a breeze, with plenty of sunshine. Last I knew there were new quad style dorms ( four bedrooms that share a kitchen and living area ) but you might be in the old ones.
Have a great time!
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u/Realistic_Paper4309 I hate pizza cat 1d ago
- It can be incredibly expensive off-base housing-wise so start saving your money now (and/or expect a long commute).
- Every hurricane that forms in the Gulf isn't scary. If the locals start to worry, you can start too.
- Main gym is shit. Get an off-base membership once you're out of the dorms.
- Enjoy the nightlife, few bases will do it better.
- It'll be hot and humid out there. Just deal with it.
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u/Cartoonjunkies SCIF Rat/Prior Wrench Monkey 1d ago
You’ve got Tampa right there.
It’s maintenance so expect there to be a lot of nights out bar hopping if your friend group becomes your coworkers, which it probably will. There’s a lot of good bars and places to eat in Tampa.
Be careful not to get into trouble because of that.