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TBRPC studies threat of rising seas to MacDill Air Force Base
Situated on a low-lying strip of land jutting into Tampa Bay, MacDill Air Force Base is uniquely susceptible to extreme weather events and sea-level rise that could impede our nation’s defense readiness both at home and abroad.
In preparation for negative impacts resulting from a changing climate, the Department of Defense recently awarded the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) a Community Economic Adjustment Assistance for Responding to Threats to the Resilience of a Military Installation grant. The 18-month, $570,000 grant allows the TBRPC and its partners to examine the long-term resilience and sustainability of MacDill and the surrounding community.
Founded in 1939, MacDill Air Force Base is home to the 6th Air Refueling Wing and includes 28 associate units, including U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command. The presence of those two unified commands creates a unique community at the base representing all branches of military service. According to a study released in March of 2021 by the American Security Project, MacDill already experiences persistent coastal erosion from higher storm surges and recurrent flooding. The Pentagon ranks the base as one of eight in the country most vulnerable to climate change.
