Nike Site BD-10
Barksdale Defense Area Site BD-10, Bellevue, Louisiana
(32-40-20 N latitude, 93-31-18 W longitude) BD-10C
(32-40-28 N latitude, 93-30-35 W longitude) BD-10L
This complex is located in Bellevue, northeast of Barksdale AFB, on Bodcau Dam Road. While
not under the control of Barksdale AFB, this installation was built to protect SAC
operations at Barksdale. It was home to U.S. Army Nike Hercules units from November 1961
to March 1966. It actually consisted of two separate installations. The control site
(BD-10C) housed radar towers, headquarters and administration buildings, and barracks. The
launcher site (BD-10L) had the launcher bays, missile fueling area, and missile storage
(Morgan & Berhow, 1996). The facility is now the Bossier Parish Community College
Criminal Justice Center. The former control site houses academic facilities, offices,
dining hall, and dormitories. The only radar tower left standing, a 40-foot metal tower,
is used for rappelling practice. The launcher site is used for weapons training. Part of
the berm surrounding the warhead assembly area is a backstop for a conventional firing
range; the warheading building itself is used to practice tactical entry procedures. Two
of the three aboveground magazines were converted into ponds, for catfish farming, many
years ago. The third magazine is fairly intact; its two bays used for tactical weapons
ranges (Personal visit, 1998). To find this site, drive east on Hwy 80 past the Louisiana
Downs racetrack to Hwy 157. Turn left, and after driving north several miles turn right
(east) on Bodcau Dam Road. The control site will be on the right; continue further down
Bodcau Dam Road and the launcher site will be on your right. A tall antenna on the western
portion of the former launcher site serves as a convenient landmark (Personal flyover,
1996).