MacDill serves as headquarters for U.S. Central Command, which is directing Operation Epic Fury against Iran, and U.S. Special Operations Command, which oversees all American special forces worldwide.

The FBI has indicted brother and sister Alen Zheng and Ann Mary Zheng for the attack. Alen Zheng, who has planted the device, fled and is currently in China. He faces charges of attempted damage to government property by fire or explosion, unlawful making of a destructive device, and possession of an unregistered destructive device.

Ann Mary Zheng was arrested in Tampa. She is charged as an accessory after the fact and with tampering with evidence by hiding or damaging a 2010 Mercedes-Benz to obstruct the investigation.