Barksdale Air Force Base Airport (BAD): Strategic Air Power in Northwest Louisiana
Barksdale Air Force Base (IATA/FAA: BAD) is one of the most significant military air installations in the United States, serving as the headquarters of Air Force Global Strike Command and home to the 2nd Bomb Wing operating B-52H Stratofortress bombers. Located in Bossier City, Louisiana, just across the Red River from Shreveport, BAD has been a cornerstone of American strategic air power since World War II. The base's 22,000+ acres and multiple runways operate under strict security with civilian access generally prohibited, making BAD one of the most active restricted airspace zones in the FAA Southern Region.
Barksdale's aviation history is legendary — the base hosted the first B-52 landings in the 1950s and served as a key command node during the Cold War's nuclear deterrence mission. Today, BAD's B-52s are visible on approach to the airfield, often flying touch-and-go training operations visible from Shreveport and Bossier City. All civilian pilots operating in the Shreveport-Bossier area must be intimately familiar with Barksdale's Class D airspace, Military Training Routes, and the restricted airspace areas that extend around and above the base.
Can civilian aircraft land at Barksdale Air Force Base?
Barksdale AFB is a military installation with restricted access. Civilian aircraft may obtain landing rights through official channels such as government missions, contract operations, or special events, but routine civilian operations are not permitted without prior military authorization.
What aircraft are based at Barksdale AFB?
The 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB operates the B-52H Stratofortress, one of the oldest and most enduring long-range bombers in the U.S. Air Force inventory. The base also hosts various support and transport aircraft.
How does Barksdale AFB affect civilian flying in the Shreveport area?
Barksdale's Class D airspace extends to the surface within 4 nautical miles of the field and up to 2,500 feet MSL. Civilian pilots must receive ATC clearance to enter this airspace and must be familiar with the associated restricted areas visible on VFR sectional charts.
What is Air Force Global Strike Command?
Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), headquartered at Barksdale AFB, is responsible for managing the U.S. Air Force's land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and strategic bomber aircraft, including the B-52 and B-2 fleets.
Barksdale Air Force Airport - BAD Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Bossier, Louisiana.
| Name | Barksdale Air Force Airport - BAD |
| Address | Curtis Loop, Bossier LA 71112 Map |
| Phone | (318) 456-6538 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Barksdale Air Force Airport - BAD
Barksdale AFB and the Shreveport-Bossier Aviation Community
Barksdale Air Force Base is not just a military installation but a defining feature of the Shreveport-Bossier City metropolitan area's identity and economy. The base employs thousands of active-duty personnel, civilian employees, and contractors who contribute significantly to the regional economy. The Barksdale Global Power Museum, located on base at the Air Force main gate, features an outdoor static display of historical aircraft including B-52s, B-47s, and other Cold War-era jets, and is open to the public during normal base visiting hours with proper identification.
The Barksdale Air Show, held periodically, brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to Bossier City and is one of the largest air shows in the Southern United States. Civilian pilots should check NOTAM databases well in advance of any planned operations in the Shreveport-Bossier area during air show weeks, as temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) around BAD can extend for miles and affect operations at Shreveport Regional (SHV), Shreveport Downtown, and surrounding private strips throughout northwest Louisiana.