MacDill AFB
This photo is from about 1960. The pink building is the Base Theater. The BX complex is in the foreground. Across the street is the Bowling Alley and Gym. The 4453rd's open bay barracks are to the right of the Base Theater in this photo. The building with the curved side on the corner was a barber shop and a photography shop.
Photo from the book given to new arrivals at the Base for orientation.
The plan to close MacDill disappeared when the Cuban Missile Crisis showed how valuable the Base was.
I arrived at MacDill right in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The is how one side of the ramp looked at that time. SACs B-47 were flown north and shorter range aircraft were brought in TDY from other Bases. In the foreground are RB-66s. Above them are RF-101s and beyond them are F-100s. Around the corner to the left side of the ramp were the 12th and 15th TAC Fighter Wing's F-84s. Besides these aircraft, there were KB-50J and KC-97 tankers parked on taxi ways and so forth.
The BX area at MacDill in the early 1960.
Photo from Bill Bouschelle
McDonnell Douglas Photo courtesy of Gene Rust
4453rd F-4s on the ramp at MacDill AFB
F-4C's in row closest to camera, right to left
63-7418 (FJ-418)
63-7440 (FJ-440)
63-7467 (FJ-467)
63-7413 (FJ-413)
63-7452 (FJ-452)
63-7443 (FJ-443)
Photo's courtesy of Bill Boushelle
4453rd A&E Building - 1964; Newly received F4-C's in background
New F-4C's next to 4453rd A&E Building - 1964
Looking through chain link fence next to 4453rd A&E Building
F-4C 63-7411 (FJ 411)
Monroe Smith on the barracks steps
Wurf's wheels
Various photos have been contributed. I regret to say I cannot always credit the source.