Defense

Defense

Defense

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE

  • Largest employer in the Shreveport-Bossier MSA
  • Largest single site employer in Louisiana
  • Annual payroll of $473.1 million
  • Annual Economic Impact of $810.7 million
EMPLOYEES
  • 5,045 active duty military
  • 1,677 reservists
  • 2,428 civilians
Barksdale medical care, commissary, and base exchange services support:
  • 5,575 duty family members
  • Over 40,000 retirees and their family members
BASE LAND ALLOCATION
  • 4,000 acres of developed area
  • 18,000 acres of undeveloped area with 1,400 acres of reclaimed wetlands
Barksdale is currently assigned to the Air Force Global Strike Command with the 2nd Bomb Wing as host. Other assigned units at Barksdale include:
  • AFGSC
  • 8th Air Force
  • 307th Bomb Wing
  • 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron
  • Det 13 ACC TRSS
  • 8th Information Warfare Flight
  • 26th Operational Weather Squadron

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF BAFB

Barksdale Air Force Base, originally Barksdale Field, was established in 1932 and named in honor of aviator and test pilot Lt. Eugene Hoy Barksdale.

During World War II, Barksdale was used as a flight school and hosted the Army’s “complete military maneuvers” simulating European combat operations. Barksdale also played host to the major contingent of Free French Air Forces and Nationalist Chinese aircrews. Post-war Barksdale became the headquarters for the Air Training Command, but upon the reassigning of the 47th Bomb Wing to NATO, Barksdale phased out the bomber crew training.

With the beginning of the Cold War, Barksdale was reassigned to Strategic Air Command becoming home to the Second Air Force headquarters and remained that way for nearly the next half-century. From 1972 through 1973, almost all of the base’s resources were deployed for overseas operations over Vietnam. All aircraft and crews returned to Barksdale in January and October of 1973. By 1975 however, the Second Air Force was inactivated and the 8th Air Force Headquarters were installed at Barksdale after being located on Guam for five years.

Over the next two decades, the 8th Air Force Museum was established, the space shuttle Columbia made two stops at Barksdale on its way back to Cape Kennedy atop a Boeing 747 carrier, and the base played significant roles in Operation Just Case, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

In April 1992, 265 buildings on Barksdale’s main base were placed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Later that year, the base was transferred from the inactivating Strategic Air Command to the newly-activated Air Combat Command, bringing with it an equipment change from B-52Gs to B-52Hs. The 1990s brought focus to Barksdale once again with Operation Desert Strike and Operation Desert Fox, as well as the prominent role Barksdale’s B-52s played during Operation Allied Force.

Immediately following the attacks on September 11, 2001, Barksdale provided a safe haven for President George W. Bush on his return flight to the nation’s capital. B-52s from Barksdale stepped up to the task once again during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the men and women of Barksdale continue to serve at home and abroad in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
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BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE

  • Largest employer in the Shreveport-Bossier MSA
  • Largest single site employer in Louisiana
  • Annual payroll of $473.1 million
  • Annual Economic Impact of $810.7 million
EMPLOYEES
  • 5,045 active duty military
  • 1,677 reservists
  • 2,428 civilians
Barksdale medical care, commissary, and base exchange services support:
  • 5,575 duty family members
  • Over 40,000 retirees and their family members
BASE LAND ALLOCATION
  • 4,000 acres of developed area
  • 18,000 acres of undeveloped area with 1,400 acres of reclaimed wetlands
Barksdale is currently assigned to the Air Force Global Strike Command with the 2nd Bomb Wing as host. Other assigned units at Barksdale include:
  • AFGSC
  • 8th Air Force
  • 307th Bomb Wing
  • 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron
  • Det 13 ACC TRSS
  • 8th Information Warfare Flight
  • 26th Operational Weather Squadron

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF BAFB

Barksdale Air Force Base, originally Barksdale Field, was established in 1932 and named in honor of aviator and test pilot Lt. Eugene Hoy Barksdale.

During World War II, Barksdale was used as a flight school and hosted the Army’s “complete military maneuvers” simulating European combat operations. Barksdale also played host to the major contingent of Free French Air Forces and Nationalist Chinese aircrews. Post-war Barksdale became the headquarters for the Air Training Command, but upon the reassigning of the 47th Bomb Wing to NATO, Barksdale phased out the bomber crew training.

With the beginning of the Cold War, Barksdale was reassigned to Strategic Air Command becoming home to the Second Air Force headquarters and remained that way for nearly the next half-century. From 1972 through 1973, almost all of the base’s resources were deployed for overseas operations over Vietnam. All aircraft and crews returned to Barksdale in January and October of 1973. By 1975 however, the Second Air Force was inactivated and the 8th Air Force Headquarters were installed at Barksdale after being located on Guam for five years.

Over the next two decades, the 8th Air Force Museum was established, the space shuttle Columbia made two stops at Barksdale on its way back to Cape Kennedy atop a Boeing 747 carrier, and the base played significant roles in Operation Just Case, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

In April 1992, 265 buildings on Barksdale’s main base were placed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Later that year, the base was transferred from the inactivating Strategic Air Command to the newly-activated Air Combat Command, bringing with it an equipment change from B-52Gs to B-52Hs. The 1990s brought focus to Barksdale once again with Operation Desert Strike and Operation Desert Fox, as well as the prominent role Barksdale’s B-52s played during Operation Allied Force.

Immediately following the attacks on September 11, 2001, Barksdale provided a safe haven for President George W. Bush on his return flight to the nation’s capital. B-52s from Barksdale stepped up to the task once again during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the men and women of Barksdale continue to serve at home and abroad in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

More information can be found at the Barksdale Air Force Base website.

AIR FORCE GLOBAL STRIKE COMMAND

Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) The AFGSC is currently assigned to the Barksdale Air Force Base just outside the Shreveport-Bossier area. The mission of the AFGSC is to develop and provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations to support of the President of the United States and combatant commanders.

8TH AIR FORCE

Headquartered from the Barksdale base, the 8th Air Force is one of two active duty numbered AFGSC air forces with a mission to safeguard America’s interests through strategic deterrence and global combat power. This mission gives the 8th Air Force the ability to deploy forces and engage enemy threats both from home station or forward positioned.

2ND BOMB WING

The 2nd Bomb Wing is the host unit at Barksdale Air Force Base. Their mission is to protect the nation and its global interests by providing devastating B-52 combat capability and unmatched expeditionary combat Airmen. The 2nd Bomb Wing is the oldest bomb wing in the Air Force.
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AIR FORCE GLOBAL STRIKE COMMAND

Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) The AFGSC is currently assigned to the Barksdale Air Force Base just outside the Shreveport-Bossier area. The mission of the AFGSC is to develop and provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations to support of the President of the United States and combatant commanders. More information can be found on the AFGSC website.

8TH AIR FORCE

Headquartered from the Barksdale base, the 8th Air Force is one of two active duty numbered AFGSC air forces with a mission to safeguard America’s interests through strategic deterrence and global combat power. This mission gives the 8th Air Force the ability to deploy forces and engage enemy threats both from home station or forward positioned. More information can be found on the 8th Air Force website.

2ND BOMB WING

The 2nd Bomb Wing is the host unit at Barksdale Air Force Base. Their mission is to protect the nation and its global interests by providing devastating B-52 combat capability and unmatched expeditionary combat Airmen. The 2nd Bomb Wing is the oldest bomb wing in the Air Force. More information can be found on the 2nd Bomb Wing website.

AIR FORCE NUCLEAR COMMAND, CONTROL, AND COMMUNICATIONS CENTER (NC3)

The United States Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Center (USAF NC3 Center), established on Oct. 1, 2016, is a sub-organization of Air Force Global Strike Command tasked to provide technical and operational support to maintain the health of communication links between the National Military Command Authority and the nuclear warfighters of the U.S. Air Force.

Located at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, the NC3 Center has 236 personnel assigned and consists of five major directorates: Communications, Governance and Training, Logistics, Operations and Plans, Programs and Requirements.

MISSION
The USAF NC3 Center mission ensures national leadership has a survivable, secure and resilient communications path for issuing nuclear orders to the warfighter. It is responsible for command lead management of Air Force Global Strike Command – owned portions of the NC3 Weapon System. It also provides a focal point for support to all Air Force Elements of the National NC3 System.

VISION
Provide survivable and agile Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications from the President to combat-ready forces.

AF NC3 CENTER STRATEGIC GOALS
  • Provide NC3 systems operational, logistics, planning, programming and communications support
  • Provide “Direct Support” to the HQ AFGSC staff
  • Provide liaison support to NC3 Using and Supporting MAJCOMs
  • Provide governance support for the NLCC/NC3 Council framework

307TH BOMB WING

The 307th Bomb Wing is a unit assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command with the latest reactivation date of January 1, 2011. The 307th Bomb Wing operates the B-52H Stratofortress and employs approximately 1,700 Air Force Reserve personnel. More information can be found on the 307th Bomb Wing website.

Camp Minden

Minden, Louisiana is home to the Camp Minden Regional Training Institute for the National Guard. Long regarded for its quality military instruction, new facilities and upgrades now take training to a higher level.
More information about Camp Minden can be found here.