Barksdale Global Power Museum
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
The mission of this Shreveport museum is to preserve the heritage and traditions of the 2nd Bomb Wing within the 8th Air Force which is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base. The museum offers exhibits that take visitors through the history of aerial bombardment and the many people who have served in the Army Air Corps and Air Force from World War I to the present. The museum also offers a general history of the Air Force through exhibits drawn largely from local artifacts as well as static displays of historic aircraft.
Images
The museum includes static displays of aircraft used by the Eighth Air Force.
View of a gallery exhibit inside the museum
B-52 Stratofortress
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
This aviation museum has a large collection of military aircraft and historical artifacts that dates from the early days of United States military aviation as well as the history of Barksdale AFB, the formation of the 2nd Bomb Wing and formation of the 8th Air Force. Barksdale AFB has also become the home of the Air Force Global Strike Command.
The Eighth Air Force was established in 1944 in Britain during WW2 as a strategic bomber unit. Operating primarily in Northern Europe, the 8th Air Force carried out strategic bombing missions in France and Germany until the end of the War. The flight unit suffered from the highest casualty rate of all American forces at 12 percent. It was the largest deployed combat force used by America in the war, earning the nickname "the Mighty Eighth."
The 2nd Bomb Wing is currently the largest Bomb Wing of the Air Force Strike Command. The unit had a strong presence during the Cold War conducting bombardment and refueling training in Asia. The 2nd Bomb Wing took a more prominent role in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm. Their exploits include flying the longest jet flight in history (47.2 hours). The unit's bombadiers deployed one-fourth of the bombs used by the Air Force during the conflict.
The Air Force Global Strike Command has been headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base since the creation of this independent command in 2009. This command operates globally to provide providing nuclear deterrence and offer combat-ready forces at any time and at any place in the world. Barksdale is home to the B52 Stratofortress fleet which has been flying missions for over fifty years.
The Eighth Air Force was established in 1944 in Britain during WW2 as a strategic bomber unit. Operating primarily in Northern Europe, the 8th Air Force carried out strategic bombing missions in France and Germany until the end of the War. The flight unit suffered from the highest casualty rate of all American forces at 12 percent. It was the largest deployed combat force used by America in the war, earning the nickname "the Mighty Eighth."
The 2nd Bomb Wing is currently the largest Bomb Wing of the Air Force Strike Command. The unit had a strong presence during the Cold War conducting bombardment and refueling training in Asia. The 2nd Bomb Wing took a more prominent role in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm. Their exploits include flying the longest jet flight in history (47.2 hours). The unit's bombadiers deployed one-fourth of the bombs used by the Air Force during the conflict.
The Air Force Global Strike Command has been headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base since the creation of this independent command in 2009. This command operates globally to provide providing nuclear deterrence and offer combat-ready forces at any time and at any place in the world. Barksdale is home to the B52 Stratofortress fleet which has been flying missions for over fifty years.
Sources
Zainaldin, Jamil S. "Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum." New Georgia Encyclopedia. 01 March 2019. Web. 28 June 2019.
2nd Bomb Wing. April 2018. June 29 2019. https://www.barksdale.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/320180/2nd-bomb-wing/.
Air Force Global Strike Command. November 20, 2015. June 29, 2019. https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104462/air-force-global-strike-command/.
2nd Bomb Wing. April 2018. June 29 2019. https://www.barksdale.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/320180/2nd-bomb-wing/.
Air Force Global Strike Command. November 20, 2015. June 29, 2019. https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104462/air-force-global-strike-command/.