History of Barksdale Air Force Base in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 22, 2026

Barksdale Air Force Base, located in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, is a major United States Air Force installation covering over 22,000 acres. Primarily situated within Bossier City, the base is home to over 15,000 active-duty and Air Force Reserve Command personnel. It plays a crucial role in national defense and air power projection. Barksdale AFB serves as a key strategic asset for the USAF.

January 1963: 917th Troop Carrier Group Formed

On January 17, 1963, the 917th Troop Carrier Group was formed at Barksdale Air Force Base and assigned to the 435th Troop Carrier Wing. Its mission was to administer and support its assigned 78th Troop Carrier Squadron, which was equipped with Douglas C-124 Globemaster IIs.

July 1963: Group and Squadron Reassigned

On July 1, 1963, both the 917th Troop Carrier Group and its squadron were reassigned to the 442nd Troop Carrier Wing.

March 1965: Units Reassigned

On March 25, 1965, the 917th Troop Carrier Group and its squadron were reassigned to the 512th Troop Carrier Wing.

1965: Redesignated as Air Transport Group

In 1965, the 917th was redesignated as the 917th Air Transport Group.

1966: Redesignated as Military Airlift Group

In 1966, the 917th was redesignated as the 917th Military Airlift Group. The 917th Military Airlift Group was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

April 1972: Redesignated as Special Operations Group

On April 26, 1972, the unit was redesignated the 917th Special Operations Group, with Tactical Air Command as the gaining major air command.

October 1973: Redesignated as Tactical Fighter Group

On October 1, 1973, the unit was redesignated the 917th Tactical Fighter Group. The 78th Troop Carrier Squadron was subsequently inactivated and replaced by the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

June 1992: Tactical Air Command Combined

In June 1992, Tactical Air Command was combined with elements of the Strategic Air Command to form the Air Combat Command. The 917th Tactical Fighter Wing joined Air Combat Command and "Tactical" was dropped from its name.

October 1993: 917th Fighter Wing Changes

On October 1, 1993, the 917th Fighter Wing saw important changes: the 46th Fighter Training Squadron was inactivated, and the 917th became the first unit in Air Force Reserve history to acquire a strategic mission. B-52Hs were added to the wing and the 93rd Bomb Squadron was activated. It became the 917th Wing.

2005: BRAC Recommendations

In 2005, the DoD recommended realigning Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, and distributing some of the 354th Fighter Wing's assigned A-10 aircraft to the 917th Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base (three aircraft).

August 2007: B-52 Nuclear Weapon Incident

In August 2007, a B-52 originating from Minot AFB transported six AGM-86 cruise missiles, each armed with a W80 nuclear warhead, to Barksdale without the knowledge of base personnel or crew. The incident led to disciplinary measures for Air Force officers and the resignation of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Michael Moseley.

August 2009: Global Strike Command Activated

In August 2009, the Global Strike Command was activated with headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base as a result of the B-52 nuclear weapon incident of 2007.

September 2009: Space Shuttle Discovery Refueling Stop

On September 20, 2009, the airport was used as a refuelling stop for the Space Shuttle Discovery's return flight to the Kennedy Space Center. The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and Space Shuttle Discovery remained at Barksdale over night.

February 2010: 2nd Bomb Wing Assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command

On February 1, 2010, the 2nd Bomb Wing was assigned to the Air Force Global Strike Command.

January 2011: 917th Wing Inactivated, 307th Bomb Wing Activated

On January 1, 2011, the Air Force Reserve Command inactivated the 917th Wing and activated the 307th Bomb Wing, which took over the B-52 units of the 917th Wing. The A-10 units of the 917th Wing remained at Barksdale AFB under the newly created 917th Fighter Group.

2013: Barksdale Listed as Potential Target

In 2013, a North Korean propaganda photo showed Barksdale Air Force Base as one of four potential targets in the United States for a North Korean nuclear attack.

2018: Reason for Targeting Barksdale

In a 2018 book, it was argued that North Korea targeted Barksdale because President George W. Bush took shelter there after the 9/11 attacks, sending a message that "you can run, but you can't hide."

January 2026: National Security Concerns Raised

In January 2026, national security concerns were raised about adjacent golf courses on both sides of Barksdale Air Force Base owned by an individual with membership in "united front" groups affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party.