Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Bossier City, Louisiana
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Barksdale Air Force Base, established in 1933 and named after World War I aviator Lieutenant Eugene Hoy Barksdale, is located adjacent to Bossier City in northwest Louisiana. It is the home of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) headquarters and the 2nd Bomb Wing, one of the Air Force’s premier strategic bombing units. The installation plays a central role in maintaining the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission through operations of the B-52H Stratofortress.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Provide strategic deterrence and global strike capability through the operation and employment of the B-52H Stratofortress bomber.
• Major Units:
• Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) — Headquarters
• 2nd Bomb Wing (2 BW) — host wing, operates B-52H Stratofortress
• 307th Bomb Wing (Air Force Reserve Command) — associate B-52H wing
• 8th Air Force (Mighty Eighth) — numbered air force headquarters
• Tenant Units: Air Force Reserve Command units; Defense Contract Audit Agency detachment; various AFGSC tenant organizations

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Shreveport, LA — approximately 5 miles west; Bossier City is directly adjacent
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV) — approximately 10 miles
• Gate Access: CAC or valid military ID required; visitor access via main gate with government-issued photo ID, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance; visitor passes issued at visitor control center; main gate operates 24 hours

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,000-8,500
• Family Members: Approximately 10,000-13,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 2,000-3,500
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 20,000-25,000

Key Facilities

• Medical: Barksdale Family Medicine Clinic — primary care available on base; Overton Brooks VA Medical Center nearby in Shreveport; nearest military hospital is Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, TX for specialty care
• Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary located on installation
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — full-service BX with main store, shoppette, food court, and specialty shops
• Fitness & Recreation: Fitness center (McWilliams Fitness Center), outdoor pools, golf course, bowling center, auto hobby shop, outdoor recreation rentals, Cypress Cove marina on Cross Lake nearby
• Schools: No DoDEA schools; Bossier Parish School District serves military families; several schools near the installation; on-base school liaison officer available
• Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on installation; School Age Program available; waitlists common — contact CDC upon receipt of orders
• Veterinary Services: Military veterinary clinic on installation offering routine wellness care, vaccinations, and preventive services for pets of active duty members
• Legal Assistance / JAG: 2nd Bomb Wing Staff Judge Advocate office; legal assistance by appointment; walk-in hours limited — call ahead

Housing

• On-Base Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; approximately 1,100+ units ranging from 2 to 4 bedrooms; includes neighborhoods throughout the installation
• Average Wait Time: Varies by grade and family size; typically 0-6 months; E-1 to E-4 wait times may be longer
• Off-Base Housing: Bossier City and Shreveport offer abundant and affordable housing; average rent for a 3-bedroom home approximately $1,100-$1,600/month; home purchase prices well below national average; Haughton and Plain Dealing are popular communities
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through your gaining unit’s orderly room upon receipt of PCS orders; the A&FRC can also assist in connecting newcomers with sponsors
• In-Processing: Report to the 2nd Force Support Squadron (2 FSS) Military Personnel Section upon arrival; in-processing takes approximately 3-5 days and includes medical, finance, legal, and unit check-ins
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through the A&FRC at Barksdale; enrollment required prior to PCS for families with special needs members; local Shreveport/Bossier City area has medical and educational resources for most special needs

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Humid subtropical; hot humid summers (highs regularly above 95 F), mild winters; occasional severe thunderstorms and rare ice events; moderate to heavy annual rainfall
• Cost of Living: Low — well below national average; housing, groceries, and dining are very affordable in the Shreveport-Bossier metro area
• Nearby Attractions: Horseshoe and Margaritaville casino resorts in Bossier City; Red River District entertainment area in Shreveport; Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets; Shreveport Mudbugs ECHL hockey; Sci-Port Discovery Center; short drives to Natchitoches (historic city) and Toledo Bend Reservoir
• Spouse Employment: Shreveport-Bossier City metro offers healthcare, gaming/hospitality, oil and gas, and retail employment; Louisiana Tech University and Southern University of Shreveport nearby; remote work growing among military spouses

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://www.barksdale.af.mil/
• Main Installation Phone: (318) 456-1110
• MWR Website: https://www.barksdaleservices.com/
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), 2nd Force Support Squadron, Barksdale AFB — (318) 456-5322

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: barksdale.af.mil, Air Force Global Strike Command public affairs, militaryinstallations.dod.mil, Balfour Beatty Communities