Military Bases in Louisiana
Discover what makes Louisiana unique for military families.
Air Force Bases
Barksdale AFB
Located in Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana
Barksdale AFB in Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana is a major U.S. Air Force installation and home to Air Force Global Strike Command. Known for its vital role in nuclear deterrence and B-52 Stratofortress operations, the base offers on-base housing, quality schools, and access to Shreveport’s amenities.
Army Bases
Fort Polk
Located in Fort Johnson, Louisiana
Fort Polk sits in Fort Johnson, Louisiana, and serves as a major U.S. Army training installation. Home to the Joint Readiness Training Center, the base is known for its realistic combat training, on-base housing options, and access to schools and family amenities.
Navy Bases
NAS JRB New Orleans
Located in Belle Chasse, Louisiana
NAS JRB New Orleans in Belle Chasse, Louisiana serves as a joint reserve base supporting Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard units. The base is known for its critical role in Gulf Coast defense and disaster response.
Louisiana’s Strategic Military Bases
For U.S. military members and families on PCS or TDY to Louisiana, Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Fort Polk in Vernon Parish, and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans in Belle Chasse are key installations, anchoring Air Force nuclear deterrence, Army combat training, and joint reserve airlift. These bases drive Louisiana’s military significance in the Gulf Coast. This guide to military bases in Louisiana offers insights into their roles, historical significance, economic impact, and community support, ensuring a rewarding assignment in the Pelican State.
Historical Foundations
Louisiana’s military history grew during the 20th century. Barksdale Air Force Base, established in 1933 as Barksdale Field, was named for Lt. Eugene H. Barksdale, a WWI pilot killed in 1926, and became a Strategic Air Command hub during the Cold War. Fort Polk, founded in 1941 as Fort Polk for WWII training, was renamed in June 2023 to honor Sgt. William H. Johnson, a WWII African-American hero, reflecting the Army’s 2023 naming commission and then reversed in 2025. Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, activated in 1957, began as a naval aviation training center and transitioned to a joint reserve base in 1994. These bases have shaped Louisiana’s defense legacy.
Economic Impact
Louisiana’s bases contribute over $3 billion annually, employing 20,000 personnel. Barksdale Air Force Base, spanning 22,000 acres, generates $1.5 billion and 10,000 jobs in Bossier City and Shreveport. Fort Polk, covering 198,000 acres, adds $1.2 billion and 8,000 jobs in Vernon Parish, supporting Leesville and DeRidder. NAS JRB New Orleans contributes $300 million and 2,000 jobs in Plaquemines Parish, boosting Belle Chasse. Families access 2,500 housing units, DoDEA schools (e.g., Vernon Parish Schools), and TRICARE clinics. MWR programs, like 2025 Barksdale air shows and New Orleans Mardi Gras events, enrich community life.
Key Military Facilities
Barksdale Air Force Base (Bossier City): Hosts the 2nd Bomb Wing, operating B-52H Stratofortresses for nuclear deterrence, with 10,000 personnel.
Fort Polk (Vernon Parish): Home to the Joint Readiness Training Center and 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, training 12,000 soldiers, with 8,000 personnel.
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans (Belle Chasse): Supports the 159th Fighter Wing and Navy Reserve with C-130Ts, hosting 2,000 personnel.
Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant (Doyline): A reserve facility for munitions production and storage, with 200 personnel.
Strategic Importance
Louisiana’s bases are critical to U.S. defense. Barksdale Air Force Base’s 2nd Bomb Wing conducts 1,000 B-52H missions annually, maintaining 25% of the Air Force’s nuclear triad, with 2024 exercises enhancing global strike capabilities. Fort Polk's Joint Readiness Training Center trains 12,000 soldiers yearly for high-intensity combat, with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team conducting 2024 rotations. NAS JRB New Orleans’ 159th Fighter Wing and Navy Reserve operate 500 C-130T missions, supporting airlift and homeland defense. The Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant stores 10% of Army munitions. These bases ensure readiness despite unconfirmed 2024 drone reports.
Notable Distinctions
Barksdale Air Force Base, at 22,000 acres, is the largest B-52 base, hosting the Air Force Global Strike Command. Fort Polk, spanning 198,000 acres, is a premier training center renamed in 2023 to honor a WWII hero. NAS JRB New Orleans is a unique joint reserve base supporting multiple branches. The bases offer 2,500 housing units, school partnerships, and MWR events like Shreveport’s 2025 Cajun festivals and Belle Chasse’s crawfish boils, fostering vibrant communities in Louisiana’s bayous and cities.
U.S. service members on PCS to Louisiana or TDY in Louisiana will find mission-critical roles and welcoming communities at Barksdale, Fort Polk, and NAS JRB New Orleans. From Bossier City’s lively festivals to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations, Louisiana’s bases provide robust support, quality education, and rich cultural experiences for military families.