BRF announced $86.1 million in newly directed federal funding secured in partnership with Louisiana’s congressional delegation to support Air Force Global Strike Command, headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base in North Louisiana. The funding will allow AFGSC to advance priority innovation, technology, and modernization requirements tied to the command’s mission.

With this announcement, BRF’s work with Louisiana’s congressional delegation has now helped direct approximately $180 million in federal funding to support AFGSC since 2020.

Air Force Global Strike Command is responsible for all of the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile wings and the Air Force’s entire bomber force, including the B-52, as well as the Long-Range Strike Bomber (B-21) Program; the Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications systems; and operational and maintenance support to organizations within the nuclear enterprise.

“Global Strike Command and Barksdale Air Force Base are critical to our nation’s security and critical to the economic vitality of North Louisiana,” said BRF President and CEO John F. George Jr., M.D. “We thank Louisiana’s congressional delegation for their continued support of the AFGSC mission, our base, and the men and women of the U.S. Air Force. With this additional $86.1 million, AFGSC will be further positioned to modernize capabilities that meet strategic needs and operational requirements worldwide.”

Barksdale Air Force Base is the largest employer in the Shreveport-Bossier City area and remains a cornerstone of the region’s economy; Barksdale’s latest Economic Impact Statement reports a total economic impact of over $1 billion for Fiscal Year 2024.

BRF’s defense mission is to build a regional defense industry cluster in North Louisiana by supporting initiatives that solve key AFGSC technology challenges while strengthening the long-term economic vitality of the region and state. BRF is not the recipient of the federal funding to support AFGSC. AFGSC is the recipient.

BRF is a Shreveport-based economic development organization focused on growing North Louisiana through innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and strategic initiatives that strengthen the region’s economy and national competitiveness.