Shreveport-Bossier, LA – May 12, 2026 – Shreveport-Bossier, a region with a rich military heritage as home to Barksdale Air Force Base (BAFB) for nearly a century, has been named a 2026 Great American Defense Community—just one of three U.S. communities to receive the national recognition this year.
The award, which was launched in 2016 by The Association of Defense Communities (ADC), recognizes and celebrates communities demonstrating exceptional commitment to improving the lives of service members, veterans, and their families. Three awardees, including Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, the City of Jacksonville, Florida, and Greater Augusta, Georgia, were announced recently at the Defense Communities National Summit in Washington, D.C. by the ADC with Sourcewell, the program’s official partner.
According to Eric Barkley, President of Barksdale Forward, a local advocacy organization promoting the growth and capacity development of BAFB and member of the ADC, Shreveport-Bossier’s selection as a Great American Defense Community is the result of a unified effort from across the region.
“We are extremely honored to have Barksdale Air Force Base in our community and appreciate the outstanding relationship we share,” said Barkley. “We’re grateful to the ADC for this recognition. 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 —including Barksdale Forward, 8th Air Force Consultation Committee, Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council, city, parish, and chamber leadership, volunteers and many other organizations.”
Communities are chosen through a competitive nomination process based on community building efforts, such as educational and employment opportunities, and support and collaboration with neighboring military installations.
Shreveport-Bossier and its supporting organizations will be featured later this year as part of the ADC’s national video series, which will be made available to the public on the ADC’s YouTube channel.
About Barksdale Air Force Base - Barksdale Air Force Base, which is home to Air Force Global Strike Command, the “Mighty Eighth” 8th Air Force, Joint Global Strike Operations Center, the 2nd Bomb Wing, and its Air Force Reserve partner, the 307th Bomb Wing, provides both nuclear and conventional strategic deterrence for the U.S. https://www.barksdale.af.mil/
About ADC - ADC is the connection point for leaders from communities, states, the military and industry on community-military issues and installation management to enhance knowledge, information sharing and best practices. With nearly 300 communities, states, regions and affiliated industry organizations as members, ADC represents every major defense community and state in the country. Visit defensecommunities.org to learn more.
About Sourcewell - Sourcewell is a local unit of government that serves authorized branches of the U.S. military and more than 50,000 public agencies nationwide, including state and local governments and K-12 and higher education institutions. Through Intergovernmental Support Agreements (IGSAs) and a nationwide cooperative purchasing program, agencies and installations can access the critical resources they rely on every day. With active IGSAs with the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Army Reserve, Sourcewell supports installation readiness by delivering fast, efficient access to critical goods and services—backed by the same cooperative purchasing program used by public agencies and a dedicated support team.
Barksdale Forward – Our mission is to grow Barksdale Air Force Base’s role in our economy and national security, protect the operational integrity of the Base, advocate for its continued growth and investment, and educate the public on its strategic importance. https://barksdaleforward.org/about-barksdale-forward/