Lt. Gen. Robert Elder Jr. said Barksdale will keep its current number of squadrons and he expects the base to add personnel.

Plans to reopen Barksdale's weapons storage area will add 450 to 500 jobs and an increased emphasis on flight training could mean an additional 300 new jobs.

Barksdale is among contenders to be headquarters of the new Global Strike Command, Elder said. That could mean 750 to 1,000 additional personnel, he said.

From The Associated Press