Barksdale Air Force Base

Barksdale Air Force Base is located in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, occupying more than 22,000 acres primarily within the city limits of Bossier City. The installation was established in 1932 as Barksdale Field and was named in honor of Lieutenant Eugene Hoy Barksdale, a World War I aviator and test pilot. Construction of hangars, runways, and billets began in 1931, and the field officially opened in February 1933. Early operations involved the 20th Pursuit Group and the 3rd Attack Wing. During World War II, the base served as a training center for crews and units operating aircraft such as the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, and B-26 Marauder. In 1948, the facility was renamed Barksdale Air Force Base. It was assigned to the Strategic Air Command in 1949 and became a center for reconnaissance and bombardment wings throughout the Cold War. In 1992, the Barksdale Field Historic District, which includes 265 buildings, was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The base is operated by the United States Air Force under the Air Force Global Strike Command. It serves as the headquarters for both Air Force Global Strike Command and the Eighth Air Force. The 2nd Bomb Wing is the host unit, providing global combat capability and training for all B-52 Stratofortress crews. The 307th Bomb Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit, is also stationed at the base.

Barksdale Air Force Base hosts multiple squadrons of Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bombers. Active duty flying units assigned to the 2nd Operations Group include the 11th, 20th, and 96th Bomb Squadrons. The Air Force Reserve Command's 307th Operations Group operates the 93rd and 343rd Bomb Squadrons. Tenant units include the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, the 340th Weapons Squadron, the 26th Operational Weather Squadron, and the 8th Information Warfare Flight. Base infrastructure includes the East Reservation, a former weapon storage area previously designated as Bossier Base. The installation also houses the Barksdale Global Power Museum, which maintains a collection of static aircraft including the SR-71 Blackbird, Avro Vulcan, and various Boeing B-52 models.