The 2nd Bomb Wing, based at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, stands as the largest bomb wing within the Air Force Global Strike Command. It consists of over 8,500 active personnel and operates 26 B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers. The Wing includes various groups such as mission support, maintenance, operations, and medical to align with its motto "Liberty We Defend." It is part of the 8th Air Force and the Joint—Global Strike Operations Center (J-GSOC).
The mission of the "Mighty Eighth" Air Force/J-GSOC is to maintain indefinite strategic deterrence operations and neutralize enemies through global strikes when necessary to protect the United States.
The Wing is one of only two B-52H Stratofortress wings in the US Air Force alongside the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has been operational since the 1950s. Currently, there are 76 aircraft in service across different bases.