Barksdale Air Force Base, Military air base in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, US
Barksdale Air Force Base is a military installation in Bossier Parish in northwestern Louisiana, covering thousands of acres along Interstate 20. The facility houses B-52H Stratofortress heavy strategic bombers and includes facilities for active-duty forces, Reserve Command, and operational wings.
The installation was founded in 1932 and served as a training location for pilots and aircrew during World War II. In the following decades it evolved into a major hub for strategic bombers during the Cold War.
The installation honors a pilot who died during a demonstration flight in 1926 and now serves as home to large long-range bombers. Visitors can view military aircraft displayed at the associated museum, representing different generations of American air defense.
The base is an active military installation with restricted access for civilians unless visiting the publicly accessible museum. Those planning to tour the museum grounds should check in advance for applicable access rules and required documentation.
In January 1991, bombers departed from here for the opening combat mission of Operation Desert Storm, a long-range strike covering over 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) with cruise missiles. That flight is considered one of the longest combat sorties in military aviation history.
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