BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE: IN-DEPTH WELCOME CENTER

Introduction

Welcome to Barksdale Air Force Base, located in the northwest corner of Louisiana. You’ll be near the two sister cities of Shreveport and Bossier in communities welcoming to the military personnel of Barksdale AFB. The base covers 22,000 acres and hosts more than 15,000 active-duty and Air Force Reserve members. We hope this guide helps you get settled in your new posting and helps take some of the stress out of moving. 1. Where Is Barksdale Air Force Base? 2. Google Map View 3. Getting There – Directions to the Base 4. Entering Barksdale Air Force Base and Amenities

• Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel
• Barksdale Air Force Base Visitor Center
• Barksdale Air Force Base DEERS Office
• Barksdale Air Force Base Gate Hours
• Barksdale Air Force Base Commissary
• Barksdale Air Force Base BX
• Barksdale Air Force Base Barber Shops
• Barksdale Air Force Base Post Office
• Barksdale Air Force Base Finance Office
• Barksdale Air Force Base Legal Office
• Barksdale Air Force Base Library
• Barksdale Air Force Base Hotels

5. Where Should I Live Near Barksdale Air Force Base? 6. What Schools are Near Barksdale Air Force Base? 7. What’s the Weather Like in Barksdale Air Force Base? 8. Things to Do Near Barksdale Air Force Base

COVID-19 Notice

Due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, many businesses, venues, and parks may be temporarily closed or operating under restricted hours. Therefore, a place we mention here may not currently be open or available for the time being.

Where Is Barksdale Air Force Base?

Barksdale Air Force Base Welcome & Visitors Center

Wilbur Wright Dr. Barksdale AFB, LA 71110

Phone

: 1 (318) 456-4984

Hours

:

• Monday-Sunday

  : 0600 - 1800

Barksdale AFB Map

Barksdale AFB Directions

Driving Directions

From Alexandria, LA

1. Take I-49 North
2. Exit 206 to merge onto I-20 E toward Monroe
3. Take exit 20A for Hamilton Rd/Diamondjacks Blvd
4. Turn right onto Diamond Jacks Blvd
5. Turn left onto Arthur Ray Teague Pkwy
6. Turn left onto the ramp to US-71/Barksdale Blvd
7. Merge onto Westgate Dr
8. Turn right onto Stafford St
9. Turn left onto Mason Dr
10. Turn left onto Barksdale Blvd
11. Enter Barksdale AFB through the Shreveport West Gate

From Dallas, TX

1. Get on I-30 East
2. Continue on US-80 E and follow signs for Terrell/Big Town Blvd
3. Continue onto TX-557 Spur E
4. Merge onto I-20 E
5. Use the right lane to take exit 20A for Hamilton Rd/Diamondjacks Blvd
6. Turn right onto Diamond Jacks Blvd
7. Turn left onto Arthur Ray Teague Pkwy
8. Turn left onto the ramp to US-71/Barksdale Blvd
9. Merge onto Westgate Dr
10. Turn right onto Stafford St
11. Turn left onto Mason Dr
12. Turn left onto Barksdale Blvd
13. Enter Barksdale AFB through the Shreveport West Gate

From Shreveport Regional Airport

1. Head southeast on Claude Hamel Dr
2. Continue onto Perimeter Rd
3. Slight right onto Claude Hamel Dr
4. Continue onto Monkhouse Dr
5. Turn right to merge onto I-20 E
6. Merge onto I-20 E
7. Take exit 20A for Hamilton Rd/Diamondjacks Blvd
8. Turn right onto Diamond Jacks Blvd
9. Turn left onto Arthur Ray Teague Pkwy
10. Turn left onto the ramp to US-71/Barksdale Blvd
11. Merge onto Westgate Dr
12. Turn right onto Stafford St
13. Turn left onto Mason Dr
14. Turn left onto Barksdale Blvd
15. Enter Barksdale AFB through the Shreveport West Gate

Flights To Barksdale AFB

More than likely, you will be flying through Shreveport Regional Airport. You can catch Taxi and transportation services like Lyft and Uber here with six on-site rental car companies. This is also where the Amtrak Station is located.

Barksdale AFB Transportation Office

Barksdale AFB Household Goods/Transportation Office

801 Kenny Ave. Suite 3400 Barksdale AFB, LA 71110

Phone

: 1 (318) 456-3229

Hours

:

• Monday-Friday

  : 0730 - 1630

• Saturday/Sunday

  : Closed

Federal Holidays

: Closed

Entering Barksdale AFB and Amenities

All drivers on base must have a valid military ID, veterans or retiree ID, a valid driver’s license, and a valid driver’s insurance card. All visitors must stop by the Visitor Control Center through the Shreveport West Gate off of Barksdale Blvd.

Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel

For all military personnel arriving during duty hours, contact your unit or squadron of the assignment immediately. Your Commander Support Staff (CSS) will in-process you from there and schedule you for your mandatory in-processing and Newcomer’s Welcoming/Orientation briefings. You will need these items for your appointment: IDA worksheet, orders and mandates, an envelope from your losing base, any graduation certificates that apply, and all travel receipts. And remember, if you are bringing any dependents with you, bring all legal documentation that applies.

Barksdale AFB Visitor Center

Barksdale Air Force Base Welcome & Visitors Center

Wilbur Wright Dr. Barksdale AFB, LA 71110

Phone

: 1 (318) 456-4984

Hours

:

• Monday-Sunday

  : 0600 - 1800

DEERS Office Barksdale AFB

Barksdale AFB ID Card & DEERS Office

800 Kenny Ave. Bldg. 4400 Barksdale, LA 71110

Phone

: 1 (318) 456-3710

Barksdale AFB ID Card & DEERS Office Hours

• Monday-Friday

  : 0800 - 1600

• Saturday/Sunday

  : Closed

• Federal Holidays

  : Closed

Barksdale AFB Gate Hours

Barksdale Air Force Base has four gates. The main gate is the Shreveport (West) Gate off of Barksdale Blvd that will lead you right through the Visitor’s Control Center.

• Shreveport (West) Gate

  : Open 24/7

• Bossier (North) Gate

  : Year-round open from 0545 - 1800

• Bodcau (South) Gate

  : Open 24/7

• Industrial (East) Gate

  : Open to Inbound/Outbound commercial vehicles from 0545 - 1800. Open to all outbound only traffic 0545 - 1800. Inbound passenger vehicles only have access Monday - Friday from 0630 - 0800. Closed on holidays

Barksdale Commissary

1265 Twining Drive Bldg. 4765 Barksdale, AFB, LA 71110

Phone

: 1 (318) 456-8263

Barksdale AFB Commissary Hours

• Monday

  : Closed

• Tuesday-Saturday

  : 0900 - 1930

• Sunday

  : 0900 - 1830

Barksdale AFB BX

455 Curtiss Road Bldg. 4711 Barksdale AFB, LA 71110

Phone

: 1 (318) 752-9227

Barksdale AFB Exchange Hours

• Monday-Saturday

  : 0900 - 1930

• Sunday and Holidays

  : 1000 - 1800

Barksdale AFB Barber Shops

455 Curtiss Road Barksdale AFB, LA 71110

Phone

: 1 (318) 588-5088

Barksdale AFB Barber Shop Hours

:

• Monday-Saturday

  : 0800 - 1800

• Sunday and Holidays

  : 1100 - 1600

Barksdale AFB Post Office

450 Curtiss Rd. Barksdale AFB, LA 71110

Phone

: 1 (318) 742-8610

Barksdale AFB Post Office Hours

• Monday-Friday

  : 0830 - 1600

• Saturday/Sunday

  : Closed

Barksdale AFB Finance Office

801 Kenny Ave. Suite 1400 Barksdale AFB, LA 71110

Phone

: 1 (318) 456-8400

Barksdale AFB Finance Office Hours

• Monday-Friday

  : 0730 - 1630

• Saturday-Sunday

  : Closed

Barksdale AFB Legal Office

334 Davis Avenue Barksdale AFB, LA 71110

Phone

: 1 (318) 456-2562

Barksdale AFB Legal Office Hours

• Tuesday-Wednesday

  (Appointment Only): 1030 - 1130

• Thursday

  (Walk-Ins): 1030 - 1130

Barksdale AFB Library

744 Douhet Dr. Bldg. 4244 Barksdale AFB, LA 71110

Phone

: 1 (318) 456-4101

Barksdale AFB Library Hours

• Monday-Tuesday, Thursday

  : 1000 - 1800

• Wednesday

  : 1000 - 2000

• Friday

  : 1000 - 1600

• Saturday

  : 1100 - 1600

• Sunday

  : Closed

Barksdale AFB Hotels

Barksdale AFB has many hotel selections nearby in the city of Shreveport and Bossier. We’ve selected a few for you to consider if you or family members need a stay at one of the hotels near base. 1. Quality Inn & Suites 2717 Village Ln. Bossier City, LA 71112

Phone

: 1 (318) 742-7890 2. Hilton Garden Inn Shreveport Bossier City 2015 Old Minden Rd. Bossier City, LA 71111

Phone

: 1 (318) 759-1950 3. Holiday Inn Shreveport Downtown 102 Lake St. Shreveport, LA 71101

Phone

: 1 (318) 222-7717 4. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Shreveport - Downtown 201 Lake St, Shreveport, LA 71101

Phone

: 1 (318) 585-1000 5. Comfort Suites Bossier City - Shreveport East 7950 E Texas St, Bossier City, LA 71111

Phone

: 1 (318) 742-3444

Hot Tip: Download MyBaseGuide's Barksdale Air Force Base Military Relocation Guide for information about hotels nearby.

Where Should I Live Near Barksdale AFB?

If you’re considering living on base, check out the available on-base housing options. Otherwise, read on to find out more about living off base.

Major Cities Near Barksdale AFB

Barksdale Air Force Base is a part of Bossier City, Louisiana, that joins with the city of Shreveport. There’s plenty of great communities here and choices for both work and play.

Best Places to Live Near Barksdale AFB

Shreveport

Shreveport is the third-largest city in the state of Louisiana that currently boasts a population of 200,000 people. It is the sister city of Bossier and is only located 14 miles away from the Barksdale AFB main gate. There’s plenty of entertainment options downtown, and the city offers military personnel and their families a community full of shopping and dining options. There are plenty of neighborhoods to choose a home in this cultural and commercial center.

Bossier City

The base is incorporated into Bossier City that has a population of 56,000 people. Located on the western bank of the Red River, the city has grown rapidly because of its location as a riverfront community. The town offers a residential center of suburbs as opposed to the downtown city feel of Shreveport.

Hot Tip: Look for Barksdale Air Force Base homes and apartments for rent or sale, and find BAH, PCS, TLA & ETS military housing information at AHRN.com.

Barksdale AFB Schools

There are no schools on base at Barksdale AFB. However, in the Bossier Parish and Caddo Public School districts around the base, you will find over 35 public schools. You can contact the school liaison for more information about homeschooling, specific school districts, or new enrollment at 1 (318) 456-8400. Or you can check out our guide to schools here.

Barksdale AFB Weather

Like the rest of Louisiana, you can expect a subtropical climate with damp and hot weather for much of the year. Northern Louisiana tends to get hotter in the summer and cooler in the winter than the coastal cities on the Gulf of Mexico. The summers usually range from the low 70s to mid 90s and winters can see it get as cold as the mid 30s but on average stays in the high 40s low 50s. May is considered the wettest month, getting 5 or more inches of rain. High humidity can make high temperatures feel even more oppressive, be sure to have a way to cool down!

Things to Do Near Barksdale AFB

In Shreveport, you have access to a downtown metropolitan area with plenty of shopping and entertainment choices. You can visit the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum that showcases Native American exhibits and a glimpse into the lives of indigenous tribes that lived in the area. In Bossier City, you will enjoy quieter attractions but with plenty still to do, like visiting the Louisiana Boardwalk that offers outlet shopping, movie theaters, and riverfront dining.

Suggested Read:

19 Of the Best Things to Do Near Barksdale AFB  

Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for Barksdale Air Force Base at MyBaseGuide.

Conclusion

Relocating can be a stressful experience, but we hope this guide has given you a clearer picture of the area surrounding Barksdale Air Force Base. We hope that you find your next adventure here around the base, whether in the downtown area of Shreveport or the riverfront of Bossier City.  

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

 

Last Updated:

9/27/2021