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Barksdale Air Force Base to be highlighted at BRF Annual Meeting on Nov. 6
General Timothy M. Ray of Barksdale Air Force Base (BAFB) will be the keynote speaker at BRF’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6. The meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport. Gen. Ray is Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command; and Commander, Air Forces Strategic – Air, U.S. Strategic Command. To continue its mission of growing our region’s economy and to support initiatives which contribute to economic development, BRF is highlighting the impact of Barksdale Air Force Base to the economy of Northwest Louisiana as well as sharing the important objectives of Global Strike Command and celebrating the airmen who serve our nation.

 

Barksdale Air Force Base is the largest employer in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, with more than 14,000 employees. Of those, 1,188 are civilian employees – an important portion of our local workforce that is engaged in supporting the goals of the U.S. Air Force. As an invaluable institution in our community, BAFB had an approximately $807.5 million economic impact on the Shreveport-Bossier City area in 2018. To pursue the continued success of Barksdale, BRF is encouraging our community to learn how they can support this critical economic engine.

 

The top commander at BAFB, Gen. Ray was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1985. He held operational flying assignments in the T-38 and B-52 aircraft, and has served as an instructor, evaluator pilot and squadron commander. He has also flown the B-1 and commanded the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base. Gen. Ray had various staff assignments at the major command, and before coming back to Barksdale, Gen. Ray served as the Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.

 

“Our command and base have a long and historic past; but, I’m more thrilled to discuss where we’re going in the future,” Gen. Ray said. “We’re innovating and modernizing like never seen before. We’re reorienting our staff and processes for the challenges ahead to include bringing on new weapon systems. Air Force Global Strike Command is the cornerstone of the security structure of the free world. This could not be more evident than today with the dynamic security environment unfolding with great power competition.”

 

Global Strike Command is responsible for the nation’s three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, the Air Force’s entire bomber force, including the B-52, the Long Range Strike Bomber program, Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications systems, and operational and maintenance support to organizations within the nuclear enterprise.

 

“The success of Barksdale Air Force Base is crucial for a positive economic future in Northwest Louisiana,” said BRF President and CEO John F. George Jr., M.D. “BRF is pleased to back the mission of Global Strike Command and the men and women of the U.S. Air Force. As a hub of innovation in our community, BRF stands ready to support the Barksdale community through its strategic initiatives in economic development.”

 

To hear from Gen. Ray and learn more about how our community can support Barksdale Air Force Base and Global Strike Command, as well as learn about the exciting work that BRF is spearheading in North Louisiana, please RSVP by October 28 by writing to [email protected] or via EventBrite. The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited.