Program Events

Barksdale Air Show

Date: March 29 and 30, 2025

Celebrate Barksdale Golf Tournament

Date: TBA

Celebrate Barksdale Family Cookout

Date: TBA

Celebrate Barksdale Day

Date: TBA

MAC Christmas Social

Date: TBD

Adopt An Airman Program (Roots for Boots)

The Military Affairs Council and Barksdale Air Force Base are happy to introduce the ADOPT AN AIRMAN PROGRAM (Roots for Boots) here in Shreveport-Bossier. This Barksdale Airmen Sponsor Program (BASP) offers select community leaders a unique and rewarding opportunity to provide Airmen a home-away-from home during their first assignment in the military. It also offers community leaders the opportunity to enter Barksdale Air Force Base and meet first-hand our fine young Air Force men and women and, the air and space leaders of tomorrow. The BASP is designed to provide Airmen with an avenue to form friendships and gather support beyond the formal work environment. If you can remember leaving behind the comfort and security of your parents’ home, then you will understand the needs of the young men and women in the BASP. Rigorous military standards can tax even the best of spirits, producing feelings of great stress to make the grade in some Airmen, and in others, moments of loneliness, homesickness and doubt. The official relationship lasts for the duration of time that the Airman is assigned to Barksdale AFB, or when one of the two parties decides to terminate the relationship. The goal of the program is to have individuals from the community serve as the Airman’s mentor, friend, and advisor, providing a caring environment to relax away from the pressures of work and future deployments. Participants are also in the position to serve as a positive adult role model helping Airmen understand their role as a career Air Force Airman and reinforcing positive social values. This rewarding program currently exists at other military installations and has been highly successful. The BASP will be run by the Military Affairs Council (MAC) of Shreveport-Bossier. The MAC is a 501c3 non-profit with a history of service and ties to Barksdale AFB. We, through the BASP, will attempt to match host families with Airmen who share the same basic characteristics. Airmen can request “by name” host families. If you have the desire and commitment to make a difference in a young Airman’s life, this is the program for you! Kem Smelser will serve as the Committee Chair/Program Manager for the Barksdale Sponsor Program. If you interested in being involved in the program or have questions, contact him at kem_smelser@yahoo.com or 318 208-2386.

Awards

The MAC supports AWARDS that recognize and encourage airmen for a job well done. Modest cash gifts and MAC coins are given at the wing level to monthly, quarterly, and annual award recipients as a token of our community’s appreciation for excellence in service.

Supporting Family of Deployed Personnel

SUPPORTING FAMILIES OF DEPLOYED PERSONNEL during hardship is a privilege. Funds have been donated to the MAC by a corporate partner for emergencies so that those who are in harm’s way know help is available for their families in special times of need. The MAC directs its requests to assist families with special needs to the Second Bomb Wing Commander.

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Recent Events

2023 Eagle Volunteer of the Year

Eye on the Eagle

Congratulations to our Eagle Volunteer of the Year for 2023 Col (Ret) Dave Lay.

2023 Military Affairs Council Scholarship Winners

The MAC awarded a total of 20 $1000 scholarships to our deserving BAFB personnel. This year’s recipients are A1C Bailo Bah 608 ACOMS, SSgt Chelsea Coleman 307 MXS, SrA Elizabeth Daniel 307 CES, MSgt Cassie Estep AFGSC A4RE, MSgt Andrew Furth 49 TES, SrA Anna Hinshaw 307 CES, A1C Lucas Hughes 2 CES, TSgt Michelle Kirk 2 MXS, A1C Kennedi Lubale 307 MDS, SSgt Julianna Lucas 2 DS, MSgt Devin Milam 49 TES, SrA Alanna Milanes 2 MUNS, SrA Ivett Palacios-Mendoza 307 FSS, A1C Kiara Perez-Astacio Perez-Astacio 2 FSS, SSgt Christopher Ruiz 2 MXG, SrA Brandi Stricker 2 COMMS, SrA Melanie Valencia 608 AOC, SrA Aaliyah Williams 2 CES, TSgt Michael Yearby 2 MXS, and SrA Jose Zurita AFGSC JNOC.

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Recent Events

Past Events

  • Spring Social 2022
  • Roots for Boots 2017
  • Operation Hero 2019 | September 28, 2019
  • Operation Hero 2017
  • Mike Johnson Speaker
  • MAC Scholarship 2020
  • MAC Scholarship 2019 | June 12, 2019
  • MAC Scholarship 2017
  • Check Presentation
  • Celebrate Barksdale Golf Tournament 2016 | November 14, 2016
  • 80th AF Celebration
  • 307 BW Annual Awards
  • Celebrate Barksdale Picnic 2016 | October 14, 2016
  • Operation Hero 2016 | September 24, 2016
  • MAC Scholarship 2016 | July 7, 2016
  • Operation Hero 2014 | January 1, 2014