The “sound of freedom” was in evidence throughout this past weekend as jet engines from a wide variety of aircraft roared for delighted crowds at the 2023 Defenders of Liberty Air Show held at Barksdale Air Force Base March 25-26.
Well over 100,000 people from our area and surrounding states took advantage of the opportunity to visit our state’s only Air Force base and see aircraft displays and acrobatic flying. Barksdale is home to one of only two bases hosting the iconic B-52 bomber, an aircraft that has served our nation in combat from the Vietnam war to the present day. There were several of the massive bombers on display for visitors to see. Another B-52 made a low level flyover of the crowd, demonstrating just how massive the aircraft truly is. Each of our nation’s military services had displays as did several local police departments.
The airshow also featured several civilian aerobatic flying teams, including Coushatta’s very own Kevin Coleman. Northwestern State University was well represented with several departments having booths with information for prospective students and fun activities for children.
The headliner for this year’s show was the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels. The Blue Angels flight team put on their thrilling show of precision acrobatic flying that never fails to amaze airshow visitors. The Defenders of Liberty Air Show is a bi-annual event that is presented to the community by Barksdale Air Force Base and the Shreveport/Bossier Military Affairs Council. The show is open to the public at no charge and is a superb day of family fun for all ages.
