Shreveport-Bossier has been named a 2026 Great American Defense Community, one of only three communities in the nation selected for the designation this year by the Association of Defense Communities (ADC).
“This recognition reflects the strength of our partnership with the Shreveport-Bossier community,” said Col. Chris Cain, 2nd Bomb Wing commander. “Having grown up here, I’ve seen firsthand the pride this community takes in supporting its Airmen within a complex global security environment. That unmatched support by our intentional and informed partners creates an outsized impact on the lives of our families while we execute the mission without fail.”
The national recognition honors communities that demonstrate exceptional support for service members, veterans and military families through military-community partnerships, quality-of-life initiatives, and long-term investment in installation support. The announcement was made during the Defense Communities National Summit in Washington, D.C. where Jacksonville, Florida, and Greater Augusta, Georgia, were also recognized as 2026 recipients of the award.
Home to Barksdale Air Force Base for nearly a century, the Shreveport-Bossier community has maintained a longstanding relationship with the installation through advocacy, collaboration, and measurable investment in military support initiatives.
The Shreveport-Bossier community’s support is demonstrated through targeted initiatives that directly impact military families. Louisiana has joined nine interstate licensing compacts, enabling military spouses in fields such as healthcare, counseling, and emergency services to transfer credentials quickly, with many eligible for expedited licensure within 30 days. Community-based transition programs provide individualized support by connecting service members with employers, education opportunities, and local resources, while the THRIVE Guide offers a centralized, military spouse-developed platform linking families to childcare, education, healthcare, and employment services. Additionally, partnerships with local healthcare systems ensure continuity of care for active-duty families and retirees, while workforce and business initiatives continue to expand employment opportunities for military spouses and veterans.
“We are extremely honored to have Barksdale Air Force Base in our community and appreciate the outstanding relationship we share,” said Eric Barkley, president of Barksdale Forward, a regional organization focused on supporting and advocating for Barksdale Air Force Base. “It’s a tribute to so many in our region who are unified in their extraordinary, longstanding and continued commitment to the men and women who serve Barksdale and their families.”
Organizations contributing to the effort include Barksdale Forward, the Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council, the 8th Air Force Consultation Committee, the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, civic leaders and volunteers from across Northwest Louisiana.
Communities are selected through a competitive nomination process evaluating support efforts such as educational opportunities, workforce development, military-community partnerships and quality-of-life initiatives for military members and their families.
Barksdale Air Force Base serves as the home of Air Force Global Strike Command, 8th Air Force, the Joint Global Strike Operations Center, the 2nd Bomb Wing, 307th Bomb Wing, and many other tenant units. Together, these organizations provide strategic deterrence and global strike capabilities supporting national defense objectives.