Modified operations in recognition of Juneteenth holiday

  • Published
  • By 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  

President Joseph Biden has signed into law the establishment of Juneteenth (June 19) as a federal holiday.

Juneteenth is a combination of “June” and “Nineteenth”, and is also known as “Liberation Day” and “Emancipation Day”. Although Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation (September 22, 1862) declared that all slaves would be free on January 1, 1863, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865 that slaves in Texas were told the war was over and were thus freed. The celebration itself dates back to 1866 with a church gathering in Texas. It later gained popularity through the South, often centering on community gatherings. During the Civil Rights Movement, its importance was re-energized, with Texas being the first state to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday in 1980.

In observance of the holiday, certain base agencies will be closed June 18, 2021. In order to continue providing various care and services to base personnel and their dependents, certain offices will remain open:

2d Medical Group
Main Clinic (for acute care only): 7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., 318-456-6555
Satellite Pharmacy: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., 318-456-6555, option 3 (after 12 p.m., please use Secure Messaging at tricareonline.com)
Dental Clinic: On-call available at 318-456-6719

Please expect possible delays due to staffing.

After-Hours Access to Care:
Nurse Advice Line: 318-456-6555, option 2

2d Mission Support Group
- Members seeking services for outbound PCS or deployment actions should contact the Military Personnel Flight at 318-456-3608 prior to their appointment.
- The Child Development Center will remain open to support mission essential personnel.
- The Youth Center will remain open to support mission essential personnel.
- ID Cards will be closed.
- Finance will be closed.

All other services and all gates will operate under holiday hours.

Questions regarding specific work center operating hours will be addressed by their immediate leadership.

Please monitor the base’s information outlets on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/TeamBarksdale and the AFConnect App for additional information and updates.