An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

President Thanks MacDill Troops, Families for Their Service to Nation

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

President Barack Obama visited service members at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, yesterday to thank them on behalf of the American people for their dedication to the nation.

President Barack Obama addresses members of Team MacDill during his final visit as commander in chief, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Dec. 6, 2016. The president thanked the men and women for their service and spoke on counter terrorism measures, national security and highlighted accomplishments of the U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dana Flamer)
President Barack Obama addresses members of Team MacDill during his visit to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Dec. 6, 2016. The president thanked the service members and spoke on counterterrorism measures, national security and highlighted accomplishments of the U.S. military. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dana Flamer
President Barack Obama addresses members of Team MacDill during his final visit as commander in chief, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Dec. 6, 2016. The president thanked the men and women for their service and spoke on counter terrorism measures, national security and highlighted accomplishments of the U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dana Flamer)
President Obama gives final national security speech to MacDill service members
President Barack Obama addresses members of Team MacDill during his visit to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Dec. 6, 2016. The president thanked the service members and spoke on counterterrorism measures, national security and highlighted accomplishments of the U.S. military. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dana Flamer
Photo By: Tech. Sgt. Dana Flamer
VIRIN: 161206-F-DY576-004

“We have been so reliant on the outstanding work that has been done by [U.S. Special Operations Command and U.S. Central Command], the extraordinary leadership from the highest general down to the person who's just started,” the president said. “I have been consistently in awe of your performance and the way that you've carried out your mission.”

MacDill also is home to the 927th Air Refueling Wing and the 6th Air Mobility Wing.

Obama paid tribute to MacDill’s 75th anniversary during his troop talk.

“For 75 years -- from World War II through Korea, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, the Gulf War, the Afghan and Iraq wars -- the men and women of this base have always stepped up when we needed them most. So, on behalf of the entire country, I want to wish you a happy 75th anniversary,” Obama said.

“It has been the privilege and honor of a lifetime to be your commander in chief -- the commander in chief of the finest fighting force the world has ever known. You are the best. Because we have the best people,” the president said.

Praises Troops, Families

The troops and their families have been inspirational, Obama said.

“You and your families have inspired us. We've been inspired by your patriotism, for stepping forward, for volunteering, for dedicating yourself to a life of service,” he said.

“We've been inspired by your devotion, your willingness to sacrifice for all of us. We've been inspired by your example,” Obama said.

America’s service members remind the nation that “we're all part of one team,” the president said.

“We take care of each other,” he added. “And you remind us of what patriotism really means.”

The service members will continue on with their mission, the president said, “but I will tell you that Michelle and I, having had the experience and the honor of working with you, are going to make it one of our missions as civilians to support you in every way that we can.”

(Follow Terri Moon Cronk on Twitter: @MoonCronkDoD)

Related Stories