Barksdale Air Force Base, near Shreveport, Louisiana, is home to the 2nd Bombardment Wing. Founded during World War I, the 2nd is the oldest bombardment unit in the Air Force. The base itself, built in 1931, was at the time the world's largest airfield, comprising 22,000 acres.

In more modern times, Barksdale Air Force Base continues to rack up superlatives. On the day Operation Desert Storm began, the 2nd Bomb Wing launched seven B-52s from Barksdale against enemy targets in Iraq. The 35-hour mission was the longest combat mission ever flown. It was also the first use of conventional Air Launched Cruise Missiles. Overall, the 2d delivered 40 percent of all coalition bombs during Desert Storm.

The B-52 Stratofortress

The 2nd Bomb Wing flies the B-52H Stratofortress, a plane with a long and distinguished history. For more than 40 years, the B-52 has been the workhorse of the Air Force, capable of delivering the widest array of bombs of any craft in the U.S. inventory. As improvements and upgrades continue to be made, it is predicted that the B-52 is likely to continue as an active aircraft for another 40 years or more.

The B-52 can carry approximately 70,000 pounds of weaponry. It can travel at speeds of 650 miles per hour and go for nearly 9,000 miles without refueling. It can also be refueled in the air. The B-52 is manned by a crew of five: commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer.