Barksdale Air Force Base is a large Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation and home to the 2nd Bomb Wing. It is a national repository for historic Air Force airplanes and offers a wide variety of dining options. If you are in town for a vacation or business trip, here are some of the top things to do in Barksdale Air Force Base.

Barksdale Air Force Base is a major Strategic Air Command (SAC) facility

Barksdale Air Force Base is a strategic air command (SAC) facility in the state of Louisiana, USA. In 1958, it was home to the 436th Bomb Squadron, which was part of the Strategic Air Command’s plan to disperse its fleet of big bombers among a number of bases, making it more difficult for the Soviet Union to strike its fleet. The squadron consisted of 15 airplanes, with half always on 15 minute alert. The remaining aircraft were primarily used for training.

Barksdale Air Force Base is home to a nuclear weapons program. The Air Force has five AGM-86 cruise missiles and one AGM-85 munitions bomber, both of which carry the W80 nuclear warhead. Its presence in the United States Air Force has been the cause of controversy across the nation, and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced disciplinary action against general officers and accepted resignations by senior USAF officials. In August 2009, Barksdale AFB became a part of the new Global Strike Command, the USAF’s air component of USSTRATCOM.

In 1959, the SAC added low-altitude bombing training. The training was meant to complement the legacy high-altitude training. These low-level flight routes were initially known as Oil Burner routes, but were later renamed Olive Branch routes. The first of the SAC’s three RBS trains became operational in 1960. On 30 June 1960, the SAC’s aircraft were on alert in the Zone of Interior. The B-52 and the KC-135 aircraft remained airborne during times of increased tension.

SAC is also focused on modernization and improving its strike capability. This organization’s manned and unmanned bomber aircraft, which total about 2,000, deliver over 90 percent of the world’s firepower. They are supported by a fleet of tanker aircraft, including KC-97s and the new all-jet KC-135s. These aircraft help bomber aircraft reach their targets and return to recovery bases.

It is home to the 2nd Bomb Wing

The 2nd Bomb Wing is a part of the Air Force’s Bomber Command and is based at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. The unit focuses on providing devastating combat capability and maintains an elite force of expeditionary Airmen. Its duties include overseeing all aircraft maintenance, providing academic and standardized weapons loading training, and flying over 1,100 sorties each year.

The 2nd Bomb Wing was established in 1942. It became an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) unit in 1963. At that time, the unit flew C-124 cargo transport aircraft before transitioning to the A-37 Dragonfly attack aircraft and finally to the A-10 ground attack fighter. It became the successor to the 47th Pursuit Squadron, which sent pilots to combat the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The 2nd Bomb Wing has been based at Barksdale Air Force Base for over 40 years. The wing was re-designated as the 2d Bomb Wing in October 1993 when the 71st Air Refueling Squadron was transferred to Air Mobility Command (AMX). The 11th Bomb Squadron was activated at Barksdale with the mission of becoming a Formal Training Unit for the B-52H.

Barksdale Air Force Base was originally a training base for Strategic Air Command aircraft. Its B-52 Stratofortress was the first Air Force all-jet strategic reconnaissance/bomber aircraft. The wing also served as headquarters for Air Training Command from 1945 to 1949. Its mission changed from a training base for the Strategic Air Command to an operational base. In 1950, Barksdale welcomed the 4238th Bombardment Wing, Light, which was a derivative of the 7th Bomb Wing at Carswell AFB, Texas. The B-52F was the first operational jet bomber in the United States Air Force and the B-17 and B-29 Superfortress were later assigned to the wing.

The 2nd Bomb Wing is the oldest bomb wing in the Air Force and is assigned to the Air Force’s Global Strike Command. Its 44 B-52H Stratofortress bombers provide an agile global combat capability. The wing also trains Air Force Reserve B-52 crews.

It is a national repository of historic Air Force airplanes

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASEMENT was a major strategic Air Command installation that was opened in 1933. It is one of only two locations in the United States where B-52 Stratofortress bombers are maintained. It was also the site of the Defenders of Liberty air show, which is a showcase for Air Force airplanes that fought the Second World War.

In 1958, Barksdale Air Force Base received the new Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and KC-135 Stratotanker. The base’s mission changed from training SAC pilots to being a strategic command base. The base was reassigned to the Strategic Air Command, where it became headquarters for the Second Air Force. The new mission at Barksdale was to train units to deploy.

The base’s history can be traced back to the early 1930s when military aviation technology was advancing rapidly. It was named after Eugene Hoy Barksdale, an airman who died while spin-testing a Douglas O-2 observation airplane. Today, Barksdale is home to the 2d Bomb Wing, the oldest bomb wing in the Air Force. The 2d Bomb Wing is famous for participating in the historic 1921 aerial bombing test against ships.

In the 1990s, Barksdale Air Force Base provided important fueling and basing missions for various battles around the world. In Desert Storm, Barksdale B-52Gs flew a 35-hour mission to attack Iraq. This was the longest air-launched combat sortie to that point.

Barksdale is also home to the Air Force Global Strike Command, which was activated in August 2009. Its members included 33,700 Airmen and is responsible for the nation’s three intercontinental ballistic missile wings and the entire bomber force. This command also oversees the USAF’s nuclear enterprise.

It has a variety of restaurants

Barksdale Air Force Base is home to several different restaurants, including a variety of fast food options. The base’s Flight Kitchen serves up a daily menu and the Red River Dining Facility offers daily soup and salad bars. Other dining options include Taqueria San Miguel and El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant.

The base also hosts the 2-nd Bomb Wing, the oldest in Air Force history. It is also home to a number of different operations and maintenance groups, each with four squadrons. Additionally, the Air Force maintains a staff of 10 offices, including the Inspector General’s Office.

The base is located near the cities of Bossier City and Shreveport, and it is an easy drive from the Air Force Base to these cities. Visitors can also enjoy the Defenders of Liberty Airshow, which takes place annually. In addition, the base is conveniently located between the states of Mississippi and Texas.

The base has served as a safe haven for President Bush when he returned from the Middle East. It has also provided substantial forces to fight the Global War on Terror. Its B-52s flew 150 combat missions in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.