Barksdale 101- Supporting the Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristin High
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The 2nd Bomb Wing's mission is to protect the United States and its global interests by providing devastating B-52H Stratofortress combat capability and unmatched expeditionary, combat Airmen- anytime, anywhere.

While the mission is paramount, it is also necessary to balance personal life to ensure morale does not falter.

"At Barksdale, Airmen of all ranks can be something bigger than themselves," said Chief Master Sgt. Curtis Storms, 2nd Bomb Wing command chief. "Team Barksdale is a place where we value what each of us brings to the fight. This is a place where I have seen America's sons and daughters display excellence in all we do while the world is watching."

With such a fast tempo from the day-to-day duties, to the exercises and inspections, morale can be threatened at times.

"Our senior leadership is involved enough where their focus is on resistance and morale and trying to find ways to keep it high," said Master Sgt. David Bedner, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant. "One of the driving forces of this base is to increase the morale of Team Barksdale."

Barksdale private organizations host many events throughout the year that help in this effort. Oktoberfest and Air Force Global Strike Command Striker Life Event are just some of the events.

"Many of the private organizations on base also have programs to help Airmen and their families," said Bedner.

Some of the programs include:

- Operation Warm Heart - helps Airmen and their families through the holidays.

- Random Acts of Kindness - first sergeants help Airmen in need with gas money, groceries and smaller monetary amounts.

- Top 3 Textbook Scholarship - offered each quarter, provides eligible Airmen $100 toward school supplies.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center also offers a variety of programs to help Airmen here.

"The Airman and Family Readiness Center is important to community readiness, resiliency and quality of life for individuals and families," said Stephanie Reyes, A&FRC chief. "We provide targeted Airmen and Family support and services, contributing to mission readiness and the well-being of the Air Force community."

The A&FRC provides programs through educational programs and services which are open to all military personnel including active duty, reservists, guardsmen and DOD civilians and their families. Some of the programs provided by the A&FRC include:

- Give Parents a Break - assisted by the Child Development Center to give parents time to take a break without having to pay for a babysitter.

- Air Force Aid Society - provides emergency financial assistance by assessing emergencies and evaluating personal budgets to determine eligibility for an interest free loan or grant.

- Exceptional Family Member Program-Family Support - provides assistance to military families with exceptional family members to find and access resources/services.

- Military Child Education - advocates for the educational needs of military children and assists Airmen and families with information and referrals regarding local school districts and other educational options.

- Spouse Employment - supports military family members in achieving short and long-term employment through local labor market information and job search skills workshops.

- Transition Assistance - provides service members with the knowledge, skills and abilities to empower them to make informed career decisions, be competitive in a global work force, and become positive contributors to their community as they transition from military service and reintegrate into civilian life.

"Collectively, all of the programs and events we have here help the resiliency of the base," said Bedner. 

Beyond the base, the local community contributes to the base and its mission.

"The Shreveport and Bossier City communities have always been outstanding with helping our Airmen," said Bedner. "They're always a part of our quarterly and Diamond Sharp awards and annual events. They are constantly giving to our organizations and are a tremendous support to Team Barksdale."

With such a strong partnership between the base and the community and such a successful mission here, Barksdale is unstoppable, he continued.

"No matter how the mission is pushing you at times, and given the troubles that the country is going through right now, our young Airmen are so resilient, they just bounce back," said Bedner. "It is a tribute to what we stand for and who we are in the United States Air Force, we're the biggest, the best and the brightest."

For more information on A&FRC programs, call 456-8400.