If you have orders for a PCS to Barksdale Air Force Base, welcome to northwest Louisiana. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for relocating from one duty station to another. Barksdale AFB sits in Bossier City, just across the Red River from Shreveport, and it is home to one of the most storied bomber units in the Air Force. This 2026 guide covers the mission, where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, the local climate, and what the area offers off duty.
What and Where Is Barksdale AFB?
Barksdale Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation in Bossier City, Louisiana, adjacent to Shreveport. The base covers nearly 30,000 acres and hosts some of the Air Force's most critical long-range strike assets.
According to the 2nd Bomb Wing fact sheet, the 2d Bomb Wing (2 BW) conducts the primary mission of Barksdale AFB with three squadrons of B-52H Stratofortress bombers: the 11th Bomb Squadron (the training squadron), the 20th Bomb Squadron, and the 96th Bomb Squadron. The wing's mission is to provide flexible, responsive global combat capability and to train all Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Force Reserve B-52 crews.
Barksdale is also the headquarters of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), the major command responsible for the Air Force's nuclear-capable bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles. The 307th Bomb Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit, operates as a mission partner alongside the 2d Bomb Wing, flying the same B-52H airframe. If you are assigned here, you are part of a community that carries a significant strategic mission.
For more on Louisiana's installations, see what military bases are in Louisiana.
Where to Live When PCSing to Barksdale AFB
Most families who move to Barksdale either live in on-base housing or settle in one of the surrounding communities. Your choice usually comes down to commute, schools, budget, and the feel you want.
Approximate one-way drive times to Barksdale AFB. Times vary with traffic and which gate you use.
Bossier City
Bossier City wraps directly around the base. About 10 minutes to the main gate, it offers established neighborhoods, shopping, and easy access to base amenities. Many Barksdale families start their search here, and many stay.
Haughton
Haughton is about 15 minutes east of the gate, in Bossier Parish. Newer subdivisions, good schools, and a quieter pace than the city make it a popular choice for families who want more space without a long commute.
Shreveport
Shreveport, across the Red River, is about 20 minutes from the base. It is the largest city in the area, with a wider range of housing, dining, arts, and healthcare. Neighborhoods vary significantly, so getting a local agent's read before you commit is worth the time.
Benton
Benton, the Bossier Parish seat, is about 20 minutes north of the base. It has a small-town feel, good schools, and a mix of established homes and newer builds. A solid choice for families who want to stay in Bossier Parish in a more suburban setting.
Stonewall
Stonewall, roughly 30 minutes southwest in De Soto Parish, is more rural with larger lots and lower prices. The trade-off is the longer drive. Families who want land and can absorb the commute sometimes make it work.
Barksdale AFB BAH and the Cost of Living
If you live off base, the military helps cover your housing through BAH, Basic Allowance for Housing. BAH is a monthly, tax-free payment based on three things: your rank, whether you have dependents, and your duty station's Military Housing Area, or MHA. Barksdale AFB falls within the Shreveport, Louisiana MHA.
Because rates change each year and vary by rank and dependent status, we do not publish a rate table. Find your exact figure with the official DoD BAH calculator: travel.dod.mil BAH Rate Lookup. Always confirm before signing a lease or making an offer.
For a sense of buying costs, the typical home value in Bossier City was about $228,051 as of May 31, 2026, according to Zillow. That is a typical value, not a median sale price. As of the week of June 18, 2026, Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 6.47 percent. The Shreveport-Bossier market is notably affordable compared with many other military metros, which can help BAH stretch further here.
If you plan to use your VA loan — the home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs — start with what are the benefits of a VA loan and how does a 0 down VA loan work. For current limits, see 2026 VA loan limits explained for military homebuyers.
For a local read on specific neighborhoods and prices, ask the Hamilton team, VeteranPCS agents in the Shreveport-Bossier area, for current listings and prices.
Schools Near Barksdale AFB
The schools your children attend depend on where you live. Two main civilian districts serve the Barksdale area.
Bossier Parish Schools covers Bossier City, Haughton, and Benton. The district is A-rated and serves more than 23,500 students across 34 schools. According to school liaison information from the Barksdale AFB newcomer guide, nearly 15 percent of Bossier Parish students come from military families. Active-duty families living on base can apply to any Bossier Parish school through the School of Choice program, regardless of attendance zone.
Families in Shreveport fall under Caddo Parish Schools, a large urban district with traditional, magnet, and charter options.
