2017, NOAA began relocation to a new facility at Lakeland Linder International Airport, northeast of MacDill AFB, completing same in June 2017. Airshow MacDill historically hosted an annual air show and "open house" enjoyed by thousands of spectators each year. However, there were no shows in 2002 and 2003 due to security concerns following the attacks on the United States of 11 September 2001 and the initiation of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The 2006 show was also canceled due to security concerns on base, but was reinstated in 2008. It was cancelled again in 2013 due to defense budget constraints, but was reinstated again in 2014 as a biennial event. AirFest 2016 was the first-ever airshow to feature a live webcast of the performers, including the headline act of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. Previous names Established as Southeast Air Base, Tampa, c. 24 May 1939 MacDill Field, 1 December 1939 (formally dedicated, 16 Apr 1941) MacDill Air Force Base, 13 January 1948 Major commands to which assigned GHQ Air Force, 8 April 1940 Third Air Force, 21 July 1942 Continental Air Forces, 16 April 1945 (redesignated Strategic Air Command, 21 March 1946) Tactical Air Command, 1 July 1962 Air Combat Command, 1 June 1992 Air Mobility Command, 4 January 1994–present Base operating units 27th Air Base Squadron, 11 March 1940 27th Air Base Group, 1 September 1940 28th Base HQ and Air Base Squadron, c. 15 July 1942 MacDill Field Base Detachment, 13 December 1943 326th AAF Base Unit, 1 May 1944 307th Airdrome Group, 15 August 1947 307th Air Base Group, 12 July 1948 306th Air Base Group, 1 September 1950 809th Air Base Group, 16 June 1952 (redesignated 809th Combat Support Group, 1 January 1959) 306th Combat Support Group, 1 June 1959 836th Combat Support Group, 1 July 1962 15th Combat Support Group, 8 June 1969 1st Combat Support Group, 1 October 1970 56th Combat Support Group, 1 July 1975 6th Mission Support Group, 4 January 1994–present Major units assigned World War II HQ, Southeast Air District (later: Third Air Force), 18 December 1940 – January 1941 HQ, III Bomber Command, 15 December 1941 – 8 April 1946 3d Bombardment Wing, 3 October 1940 – 5 September 1941 53d Pursuit Group, 15 January – 8 May 1941 (P-40) 29th Bombardment Group, 21 May 1940 – 25 June 1942 (B-17/B-18 Antisubmarine Patrols) 21st Bombardment Group, 27