6 Jun 2019

Love of flying: a rare reunion for pilot couple

The Barksdale Defenders of Liberty Air and Space Show, brought together over 80,000 families and spectators from the Ark-La-Tex region May 18 and 19, 2019 to witness a full weekend of military and civilian aircraft performances and displays. For one Air Force family, a trip to the air show held more significance than just a weekend of entertainment. With duty stations more than 200 miles apart, Maj. Natasha E. Blankenship, a C-17 Globemaster III pilot with the 183rd Airlift Squadron in Jackson, Mississippi, and her husband, Maj. John R. Blankenship, a B-52 Stratofortress pilot with the 96th Bomb Squadron here, were reunited as Natasha Blankenship flew a C-17 from Jackson into Barksdale to be put on display as part of the air show.

15 Apr 2019

2019 BTF comes to an end

More than 450 personnel and six B-52 Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, returned home following a short-term deployment to RAF Fairford, England, in support of U.S. Strategic Command’s Bomber Task Force in Europe, April 11, 2019. The BTF deployment enabled theater integration and training with joint partners, allied nations and other U.S. Air Force units, to further enhance bomber interoperability in the theater.

11 Mar 2019

Phase inspections keep the B-52 flying

Just like a car, the B-52 Stratofortress needs its oil changed, tires rotated and its engine looked at to keep it running and prevent future damage.

21 Nov 2018

2nd MUNS Armament: improving lethality

The 2nd Munitions Squadron armament flight not only maintains the equipment to drop conventional and nuclear bombs, but also continuously keeps Air Force Global Strike up to date on bomb-dropping mechanisms, a job that brings pride to these Airmen.

20 Nov 2018

Strengthening community ties through innovation

“Innovation is the hallmark of the United States Air Force,” said Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, during a 2017 Air Force Association conference. “From time to time it is important to refresh our science and technology strategy, to step back from the programs and problems of today and project 10 or 20 years into the future.” In May 2018, the 2nd Bomb Wing hosted a Spark Tank event, developed to provide Airmen a platform to share their potentially ground-breaking ideas that they have developed in hopes of receiving funding for their concepts and supporting the same values Wilson explained.

16 Nov 2018

Air Force family: Taking care of Tyndall, displaced Airmen

On Oct. 10, 2018 , Hurricane Michael ripped through the Florida Panhandle with racing winds and powerful rain causing damage to homes, businesses and other structures. During its duration, this category four storm directly impacted Tyndall Air Force Base, destroying parts of the base, displacing Airmen and their families. Through the recovery process, Barksdale was able to play a few different roles in the relief and rebuilding efforts.

31 Oct 2018

You’re not alone: Part two

He was charming and funny. She was an outgoing new Airman who had just arrived at her first duty station. Their friendship grew into something more romantic. Her friends warned her of him right off the bat, but she saw a side to him no one else did. He made her feel loved. It all seemed bearable to her until one day, it wasn’t.

15 Oct 2018

2 MUNs Airmen keep safety on target

When a bomb hits a target, it must first go through a long process of safe transportation and close observation. Airmen from the 2nd Munitions Squadron system flight munitions control are there for the entirety of a munitions life cycle.

18 Sep 2018

COMMENTARY: Looking back, moving forward

At times, being the youngest branch in America’s military can make our history seem less significant when compared to the Army, Navy and Marines. Older branches have a heritage different from ours. They might be strong and deep-rooted, but we are young and ground-breaking.

13 Sep 2018

Barksdale supports HUREVAC

For the fourth consecutive year, Team Barksdale provided refuge to Airmen and aircraft seeking shelter from potential hurricane damage. More than 200 personnel and 60 aircraft, including KC-135 Stratotankers and F-15E Strike Eagles, from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, arrived here from Sept. 11-12, 2018.