2nd Mission Support Group

2nd Mission Support Group is a United States Air Force unit providing critical installation and mission support functions. Assigned to the Second Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base, it ensures the operational readiness of its host wing and tenant units. The group's history traces back to its origins as a World War II service group, with subsequent reactivations during the Cold War and modern era. Its diverse responsibilities encompass security, civil engineering, personnel services, and logistics support for a major Air Force Global Strike Command installation.

History

The group was first constituted as the 2nd Air Base Group in 1941, supporting B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator training operations under the Southeast Air Corps Training Center. During World War II, it was redesignated the 2nd Service Group and deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations, providing vital maintenance and supply support for combat aircraft. Following the war, the unit was inactivated in 1945. It was briefly reactivated in the early 1950s at Hunter Air Force Base to support Strategic Air Command bomber operations before another inactivation. The group was reconstituted in its modern form in 1991 at Barksdale Air Force Base, aligning with the Air Force Objective Wing reorganization to consolidate all base support functions under a single commander.

Organization

The group is organized into several subordinate squadrons, each specializing in a core support function. These typically include the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, responsible for facility maintenance and emergency services, and the 2nd Security Forces Squadron, which provides base defense and law enforcement. The 2nd Force Support Squadron manages personnel programs, morale activities, and community services, while the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron oversees transportation, supply, and fuels management. This structure allows for integrated support to the host 2nd Bomb Wing and numerous other tenant organizations stationed at Barksdale.

Mission

The primary mission is to deliver comprehensive installation support to enable global power projection for Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Combat Command assets. This involves maintaining the infrastructure and security of Barksdale Air Force Base, a key platform for the B-52 Stratofortress. The group ensures the base populace has access to essential personnel, medical, and recreational services to sustain high morale and readiness. Its functions are critical during operational deployments, exercises like Red Flag, and in sustaining continuous Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications operations.

Bases and units

The group is permanently stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana. Its operations are deeply integrated with the host 2nd Bomb Wing and support a wide array of tenant units, including the 307th Bomb Wing of the Air Force Reserve Command and detachments from the Air National Guard. The group's squadrons are geographically dispersed across the installation, supporting key facilities such as the aircraft alert aprons, Weapons Storage Area, and the Barksdale Global Power Museum.

Notable commanders

Leadership has included officers who later attained significant rank and responsibility within the United States Air Force. Past commanders have often moved on to lead major wings or serve on the staffs of United States Strategic Command and the Pentagon. Their tenures frequently coincided with major operational events, including deployments for operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and the group's consistent recognition with the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

Awards and decorations

The group has been recognized with multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbons for its sustained superior performance. Its subordinate squadrons have earned individual honors, including the Air Force Best Security Forces Award and the Daedalian Weapon System Maintenance Award. The group's contributions to the Global War on Terrorism have been acknowledged through campaign participation credits and meritorious unit citations from both United States Strategic Command and Air Force Global Strike Command.