MacDill AFB Gate Operation Information
FPCON Bravo
Report any suspicious activity or behavior immediately. Contact the 6th Security Forces Base Defense Operations Center (BDOC) at 813-828-3322 / 3323. Provide as many details as possible. FPCON increases will be notified through mass notification systems and posted at installation access control points.
POC: Mr. Michael Pons, 6th SFS Antiterrorism Program Manager, 828-5196
Need to sponsor someone on base? Click HERE
Rideshare Services and Associated Food Delivery Instructions
MacDill Air Force Base Gate Operations Information
In an effort to expedite processing at all gates, drivers are requested to lower their front and rear windows, and collect IDs/credentials from ALL passengers BEFORE approaching the gate.
NOTE: Due to security operations and gate maintenance, gate operating times and closures can occur at any time
For holiday gate hours, visit our Facebook page here
Dale Mabry Gate
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Commercial Lane: 3 p.m. - 5:30 a.m. Monday - Friday and all day on weekends
Hold ID card in hand for Defenders to verify and roll down all driver-side windows
After hours visitor passes will be issued at Dale Mabry Gate only
Bayshore Gate
Monday - Friday: 5:15 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Hold ID card in hand for Defenders to verify and roll down all driver-side windows
After hours visitor passes will be issued at Dale Mabry Gate only
Tanker Way Gate (Port Tampa commercial vehicle gate)
*POV traffic* Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 9 a.m.
*Commercial vehicle traffic* Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
All commercial traffic entering the installation outside of these hours will utilize Dale Mabry Gate.
Hold ID card in hand for Defenders to verify and roll down all driver-side windows
MacDill Gate
*Inbound traffic only* Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 8 a.m.
*Outbound traffic only* Monday - Friday: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Hold ID card in hand for Defenders to verify and roll down all driver-side windows
Visitor Control Center VCC (813) 828-2737 (Dale Mabry Gate)
Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Closed on Holidays
*NEW REQUIREMENT FOR BASE ACCESS: Starting 7 May 2025, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, or other acceptable identification, will be required for access to MacDill AFB. This is in accordance with a Department of Homeland Security mandate applying to all U.S. military installations. Read here for more information about base access under the REAL ID Act.
In accordance with the REAL ID Act and DoD/DHS guidance, REAL ID-compliant identification will be mandatory for accessing MacDill AFB and federal facilities. Visitors must present a REAL ID-compliant identification or secondary identification. Acceptable secondary identification for in-person sponsorship, includes passport, Green Card, VHIC (meeting sponsorship requirements), SSA card, or original birth certificate with raised-seal. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDL) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. Requirements and frequently asked questions can be found on the following sites: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id and https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs. Additionally, all contractors and subcontractors possessing a Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) card/pass issued by the MacDill Visitor Control Center (VCC) are required to validate they meet all requirements with the VCC or risk termination of their card/pass by 7 August 2025. Note: The specific requirements for Florida are provided at the following website: https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/. It's best to check the website for the most up-to-date information. You can find a link to your state's DMV here: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
POC: 6th SFS Visitor Control Center (813) 828-2737, Ext. 4
Sponsoring someone?
NOTE: ALL commercial deliveries must use Tanker Way Gate during operating hours.
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) holders can sponsor up to TWO family members or guests. Caregivers cannot sponsor any guests.
All vehicle passengers are required to present a picture ID (valid driver’s license, passport, etc.)
If individual is a resident to the country, residency card and social security card must be provided in addition to a valid photo ID
Vehicle drivers must present proof of valid insurance and vehicle registration
Fleet vehicle: The vehicle is identified by the plates, which shall be of a distinctive color; have the word "Fleet" appearing at the bottom and the word "Florida" appearing at the top. Fleet vehicles are not required to have vehicle registration but must have proof of insurance.
Personnel must present a bill of lading, invoice, work order, or service call contract, etc., and Point of Contact (POC)
POSSESSION, STORAGE AND TRANSPORT OF PRIVATELY OWNED FIREARMS ON MACDILL AFB
POC: 6 SFS, 828-4314/2898/5791
Although Florida has authorized residents to carry concealed weapons without government-issued permits, the possession and carrying of personal firearms on MacDill remains RESTRICTED. On April 3, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill (HB) 543, allowing Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit. HB 543 goes into effect on July 1, 2023, making Florida the 26th state to enact Constitutional Carry legislation. Source: https://www.flgov.com/2023/04/03/governor-ron-desantis-signs-hb-543-constitutional-carry/
However, on MacDill AFB, open carry, storage, and/or transport of concealed privately owned firearms, ammunition or privately owned dangerous weapons on a person or in a vehicle; regardless of the authority (e.g. concealed carry permits) granted by a city, county or state remains strictly prohibited.
Exceptions to this prohibition:
1. Federal and state law enforcement officers, (i.e.; FBI, AFOSI, NCIS, CID) as required in the performance of official duties.
2. Qualified Department of Defense law enforcement officers and qualified retired law enforcement officers under Sections 926B and 926C of Title 18, United States Code, and DoDI 5525.12, Implementation of the Amended Law Enforcement Officers Safety Action of 2004 (LEOSA).
a. When LEOSA POF’s are stored in an unattended vehicle: (1) the vehicle must be locked at all times, (2) stored in a location designed to be unlocked only by means of a key, combination or similar means (e.g. trunk, glovebox, center console, motorcycle hard bag or approved firearm case), and (3) concealed from public view.
b. LEOSA credentialed personnel must understand, under LEOSA, the bearer of the credential has no law enforcement authority and cannot carry out any law enforcement duties. LEOSA is for self-defense or defense of others in their immediate area.
3. Housing, Fam Camp and Dorm Residents: Transportation of Weapons: Routes will be directly from storage or residence to an authorized recreational shooting area or installation exit point. Upon completion of recreational shooting or return to the installation, personal will go directly to SFS Armory or residence and properly secure POF. Firearms will be transported unloaded separate from ammunition and preferably in a locked compartment.
ONE HOUR PARKING ENFORCEMENT AT VISITOR CONTROL CENTER (VCC)
6 SFS will begin enforcing the established parking restrictions at Building 1089/VCC and will tow unauthorized parked vehicles from the VCC parking lot at owner’s expense.
The VCC parking lot (adjacent to Dale Mabry Gate) is reserved for short-term customer parking only. In accordance with Florida State Statute 316.1945 and Installation Commander policy, parking is restricted to 1-hour to ensure visitors and sponsors can process through the VCC in a safe and efficient manner. MacDill processes thousands of visitors every week and parking has become increasingly more challenging. Official 1-hour only parking and tow signs are posted throughout the parking lot. It is vital to adhere to the parking rules established by Florida State Statute 316.1945 and Installation Commander policy.
Vehicles parked for more than one (1) hour at the VCC will be subject to immediate towing at the owner's expense. This strict enforcement is in place to ensure compliance with the law and to create a safer and more accessible environment for everyone.
Any exception to this parking policy must be approved by 6 ARW/CC or 6 SFS/CC.
POC: 6 SFS, 828-2737/3809/5791
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
With the familiarity of daily routines, it's understandable that certain activities can fall under the radar and become easily overlooked. As you go through your normal routine, if you see something that doesn’t seem quite right, say something. You can protect your fellow wingmen and community by being alert, staying vigilant, and reporting any suspicious activity to law enforcement. For suspicious activity occurring on base, contact the MacDill AFB Base Defense Operations Center at (813) 828-3322/3323. If off base, contact local Law Enforcement.
POC: 6 SFS, 828-3322/3323
DRONE AWARENESS/SAFETY
Drones are not allowed on, or within 5 miles of, MacDill AFB. They can pose a variety of security dangers including espionage, smuggling, hacking, dangerous payload, and more. If you see a drone on MacDill AFB, observe it from a safe location and report it to Security Forces (813) 828-3322 immediately. For your safety, DO NOT approach drones. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) uses the DRONE acronym for their recommended procedures:
Detect. Direct attention outward and upward. Attempt to locate and identify individuals operating the drone.
Report incident to Security Forces on-base or the FAA Regional Operations Center (ROC) off-base.
Security Forces: (813) 828-3322
Florida is in the East ROC: (404) 305-5180, 9-ESA-ROC@faa.gov
Observe drone and maintain visibility of the device.
Notice features: identify type of device (fixed wing/multirotor), its size, shape, color, and payload.
Execute appropriate police action.
MacDill AFB No Drone Zone: https://media.defense.gov/2023/Oct/11/2003317561/-1/-1/0/231011-Z-PQ017-1001.JPG
Submit a tip: https://www.osi.af.mil/Submit-a-Tip/
Call the Visitor Control Center (813) 828-2737 for installation access information
6th Security Forces Squadron (813) 828-3322
(Current as of June 2025)