LOCATION: Barksdale Air Force Base is located in Bossier City, Louisiana, two and half hours east of Dallas, Texas, and three hours west of Jackson, Mississippi in the Southeastern part of the United States. Barksdale, located in the northwest corner of Louisiana, provides easy access to other major cities in Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi, a region known as the "Ark-La-Tex". The zip code for the base is 71110. The climate, location, and military environment make this area a popular place for military retirees and their families to call home. You will find Bossier City and Shreveport (its sister city located just across the Red River from Bossier City) a great place to work and play.
HISTORY: For a detailed history of Barksdale Air Force Base, please visit the installation webpage in Contacts/Links.
MISSION: The "Mighty Eighth" is a war fighting headquarters constantly ready to deploy global air power and command an air operation wherever needed. The 2d Bomb Wing is the oldest, largest, and best bomb wing in the world, always ready to use its B-52 Stratofortress bombers to deter, defend against, and defeat enemy aggression by providing global combat capability. The 917th Wing is an Air Force Reserve unit flying both the B-52 and the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Barksdale is also home to 24 associate units, including Det. 2, 57th Wing (B-52 Weapons School), the 49th Test Squadron (bomber operational testing), and the 548th Combat Training Squadron (Air Warrior II. More information may be found under the topic Major Unit Listings.
POPULATION SERVED: Barksdale serves a large population made up of over 7800 active duty and reservists; 7700 military family members, and over 2150 civilian employees(appropriated and nonappropriated). In addition, Barksdale services approximately 40,000 retirees and their family members living within a 50 mile radius of the base.
SPONSORSHIP: Contact your Commander's Support Staff, Military Personnel Flight, or the Family Support Center at your current base to request a sponsor. This request should be part of every PCS move. Your sponsor will assure you receive a sponsor package, answer any questions you have about the base and the local area, make lodging/dorm arrangements, and meet you upon arrival. (If you need directions to the base, see the Directions heading.) Your sponsor will be there to help you and your family until you are settled into your new community.
The Postal Service Center can accept mail prior to your arrival. The best practice is to include the unit and office symbol of your gaining unit so delivery can be assured. All general delivery mail will be held at the Postal Service Center for up to 90 days. The general deliver address is as follows: Name/Rank, Gaining Unit/Office Symbol, 414 Curtiss Road, Suite 100, Barksdale Air Force Base, LA 71110-2455.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS: Upon your arrival to Barksdale, contact the 24-hr arrival point located in Building 5155 (Lodging/Billeting/The Barksdale Inn) for assistance in contacting your sponsor and obtaining general information about the base. Reservations at the Barksdale Inn may be made in advance and are encouraged during peak relocation periods (May, June, July, and August). See the section Housing-Installation-Temporary Lodging for more information.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Be sure to make the Family Support Center (FSC) a priority stop upon your arrival. Help with employment concerns, educational needs, stress, information on available base and community resources, and much more is available. The Family Services Loan Locker is located in the FSC and is stocked with many essential household items available for your use while awaiting delivery of your personal goods. If you have children, please take advantage of the free child care provided via the Child Care for PCS program. You are entitled to 20 hours of free child care for each child to be used within 60 days of your arrival at Barksdale. The Discovery Resource Center offers internet access for your convenience. Individual financial planning is offered for those unexpected relocation expenses and the Air Force Aid Society is available for financial emergencies that may arise. Be sure to make plans to attend the Right Start Newcomer's Orientation held every first and third Wednesday of the month at the Barksdale Club. This orientation is mandatory for all inbound military and DoD civilians. Spouses are encouraged to attend and will receive a specially prepared welcome basket. For more information call (318)456-8400 or DSN 781-8400.
CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION:
Be sure to contact you local housing office to request the advance housing application, DD, Form 1746, if you are interested in living in base housing at Barksdale.