Barksdale Air Force Base

Barksdale Air Force Base at a glance

Barksdale Air Force Base is closely associated with the B-52 bomber and the Air Force's global-strike enterprise. The 2nd Bomb Wing serves as host, while the Reserve's 307th Bomb Wing contributes a separate B-52 organization. The installation also hosts Air Force Global Strike Command and Eighth Air Force, linking flying units with headquarters responsible for broader bomber and deterrence functions.

The base developed in northwestern Louisiana during the early 1930s, and the 2nd Bomb Wing moved to Barksdale in 1963. Publicly described partner activities include a bomber weapons school, operational testing and combat training. Barksdale consequently combines aircraft operations and maintenance with education, evaluation and command functions rather than representing a single squadron or one type of military assignment.

Also searched as: Barksdale AFB.

Sources: Barksdale Air Force Base: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

Mission and major activities

• Supports B-52 bomber operations and maintenance.
• Hosts global-strike and Eighth Air Force headquarters.
• Supports bomber instruction, operational testing and training.

Sources: Barksdale Air Force Base: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

Location and community

Barksdale is in Bossier City, Louisiana, across the Red River from Shreveport. The surrounding area is part of the Arkansas-Louisiana-Texas region.

Sources: Barksdale Air Force Base: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

B-52 organizations share Barksdale with major headquarters

Barksdale's 2nd Bomb Wing is the installation host and operates the B-52 mission. The Air Force Reserve's 307th Bomb Wing is another B-52 organization, while Air Force Global Strike Command and Eighth Air Force give the installation a broader headquarters role. The official overview also identifies a bomber weapons school, operational testing and combat training among its partner activities.

These organizations perform different parts of the bomber enterprise: operations, maintenance, instruction, evaluation and command work. The 2nd Bomb Wing moved to Barksdale in 1963, continuing an installation history that began in the early 1930s. Barksdale is in Bossier City, with Shreveport across the Red River. For a relocation, distinguish the receiving unit from the general Ark-La-Tex regional label and compare housing to the actual duty location.

Official sources: barksdale afb overview

Housing location can change the school pathway

The Air Force housing page identifies Hunt Military Communities as Barksdale's privatized family housing owner and manager. It directs incoming households to the Military Housing Office for applications and installation policies, while the community's management office handles the homes and resident services.

Its school information distinguishes Main Base housing from the East Side. Main Base listings include Waller Elementary, Rusheon Middle and Bossier High; the East Side information identifies a different group of elementary schools and the Haughton middle and high schools. Verify the current assignment for the offered address before making an enrollment decision. The distinction is more useful than assuming every home on Barksdale has the same school pattern. The official resource also discusses separate unaccompanied housing and community referrals, so the appropriate housing route depends on the member's circumstances.

Official sources: Air Force Housing: Barksdale AFB

The medical group is a clinic, with care priorities

Barksdale's health-care guidance directs beneficiaries to enroll or register with the 2nd Medical Group. It describes care priorities for active-duty personnel and enrolled TRICARE Prime beneficiaries, with other care dependent on available space. Confirm how those arrangements apply to each person in a relocating household rather than assume the member's assignment automatically establishes family care.

The installation medical facility does not provide emergency services. The official page points to community emergency or urgent-care resources and the Nurse Advice Line for appropriate guidance. This is a practical reason to identify a family's actual routine-care and referral arrangements while comparing homes in Bossier City or Shreveport. A medical-group contact, a receiving squadron and a housing application resolve different parts of arrival planning.

Official sources: barksdale afb health

Published addresses and access

Use the destination label below to distinguish visitor access, a service office and postal mail. A published address does not authorize entry. Confirm current access, sponsorship, appointments and reporting instructions with the official office before travelling.

Before you arrive

Use these questions with your sponsor or gaining organization. They are a starting point for planning, including assignments, courses and training periods that differ from a routine permanent change of station.

1. Confirm the organization, duration and reporting instructions shown on your orders. Ask which office handles your arrival.
2. Clarify lodging and housing arrangements before booking. Ask about availability, required approvals and how to handle a late arrival.
3. Before choosing a home, compare the commute, lease terms, school needs and your household budget. Ask the housing office about the options that apply to your situation.
4. Coordinate household goods and personal travel with the appropriate transportation office. Keep orders, receipts and important family records together.
5. Make a short list of contacts for medical care, schools, childcare and family support, where applicable to your assignment.

Official PCS planning resources   Housing allowance information

Sources: Barksdale Air Force Base: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

Resources for service members and families

Start with the official resources for Barksdale Air Force Base and ask which services your household can use. For a training site, rotational location or Reserve component assignment, confirm arrangements with your unit rather than assuming the services of a large residential installation are available.

From this mission to your next career

The mission at Barksdale Air Force Base suggests the following areas to consider when describing your experience. These are LockLeed career suggestions based on the public mission, not a list of vacancies or qualifications held by everyone assigned here.

Write down the equipment, systems, processes and teams you personally supported. Add a specific result you can discuss publicly, then match that evidence to the civilian role you want. Keep operational details and sensitive information out of your application.

Official transition resources   Explore SkillBridge programs

Official contacts and installation services

Use the named official resource for this installation or its support community. A directory link does not establish service eligibility, availability or a reporting location. Confirm arrangements with the office or your gaining organization.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and editorial notes

Installation facts above are drawn from the official sources below. Career suggestions and planning questions are LockLeed editorial guidance. Use official offices for current policies, eligibility and arrangements.

1. Barksdale Air Force Base: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overviewSupports: overview, mission, local context, planning note
2. Air Force Housing: Barksdale AFBSupports: expanded guide and official services
3. barksdale afb healthSupports: expanded guide and official services

Reviewed 2026-09-30. This independent guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Map points are approximate and are not routing or reporting instructions.