Louisiana has a rich military history dating back to the colonial era when European settlers formed militias to defend their territories. One of the most significant moments in the state's military past was the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812, a decisive American victory that reinforced Louisiana’s strategic importance. Today, the state is home to five major military installations, each playing a vital role in national defense.

Barksdale Air Force Base

Located in northwestern Louisiana, Barksdale Air Force Base was established in 1931 and officially opened the following year as Barksdale Field, named after World War I aviator Major Edwin Browning Barksdale. During World War II, the base served as a critical training center for B-26 bomber crews, preparing them for missions in both Europe and the Pacific.

Today, Barksdale is home to the 2nd Bomb Wing, which operates B-52 Stratofortress bombers. The base played a key role in Operation Desert Storm, launching the first conventional airstrikes against Iraqi targets. Barksdale remains a crucial part of U.S. strategic airpower, supporting global strike and deterrence missions.

For more details, visit the official base website: Barksdale Air Force Base

Camp Beauregard

Camp Beauregard was established in 1917 in response to America’s entry into World War I. It was designed as a training facility for thousands of soldiers preparing for deployment to Europe. After the war, military activity at the camp slowed, and it was transferred to the Louisiana National Guard.

As World War II approached, the federal government reacquired Camp Beauregard in 1940, using it as a staging area for troops heading to both the European and Pacific theaters. Today, the camp remains an essential training ground for the Louisiana National Guard, supporting modern military training exercises and disaster response efforts.

For more details, visit the official base website: Camp Beauregard

Fort Johnson (Formerly Fort Polk)

Formerly known as Fort Polk, this installation near Leesville, Louisiana, has long been a key training site for military operations. It is home to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), where Army units undergo advanced combat training before deployment.

In 2023, the base was renamed Fort Johnson in honor of Sergeant William Henry Johnson, a highly decorated African American soldier from World War I who demonstrated extraordinary bravery in combat. The fort continues to be a major training center for light infantry and special operations forces.

For more details, visit the official base website: Fort Johnson

Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans

NAS JRB New Orleans was established in 1941, just before the U.S. entered World War II, as a Naval Reserve Aviation Base along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. It was initially used to train reserve naval aviators who would go on to serve in the Pacific and European theaters.

Today, the base houses units from multiple military branches, including:

• A Navy Reserve aggressor squadron
• The 159th Fighter Wing of the Louisiana Air National Guard