BARKSDALE AFB – LSUS Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith was named as an honorary commander in a unit of Barksdale Air Force Base’s 2nd Bomb Wing in a late January ceremony.
Smith is specifically paired with U.S. Air Force Major Ian Rohde, who commands the 96th Bomber Generation Squadron.
The purpose of honorary commanders is to build and maintain strong relationships between Barksdale and the surrounding communities by connecting with leaders throughout the region.
Barksdale aims to educate local leaders about their purpose and mission while increasing military involvement in civic endeavors and organizations.
“It’s really important because Barksdale AFB is our neighbor and one that has an important role in our nation’s security,” Smith said. “For that reason alone, we should support the base and the airmen stationed there, as neighbors support neighbors.
“In addition, our faculty is developing expertise in our undergraduate and graduate students, much of which is relevant to the work done at Barksdale. I see opportunities for expanding things like research projects and internships, benefiting our students, faculty and staff. This is especially important as Barksdale grows over the coming years.”
Smith is one of 25 honorary commanders that will participate in the two-year program.
Honorary commanders are invited to activities on the base to learn about the unit’s mission, structure and programs. In kind, the assigned military commander will attend functions in the community and at the honorary commander’s organization.
“The idea is to build better ties between the airmen and members of the community,” Smith said. “This means building a better understanding of what the squadron does, what their needs are, and to help them to better connect with the broader community.
“While LSU Shreveport already enjoys a good relationship with Barksdale, I’d like to discern other ways that we can partner with them. I’d also like to see if we can help airmen meet their educational goals, preparing them to better meet the needs of the Air Force and also for transitioning back into civilian life at the conclusion of their service.”
The relationship is also personal for Smith, who was a civilian Army employee early in his career and whose father served in the Army during World War II and in the Navy during the Korean War before working as a civilian in the Department of Defense.
“In a way, I feel like I’m following my dad’s example by partnering with our military – who sacrifice so much to keep the rest of us all safe,” Smith said.
