Cooperative security locations (csl)



The U.S. military has two Cooperative Security Locations (CSLs), formerly known as Forward Operating Locations, in Latin America and the Caribbean.  One of those CSLs is located in Comalapa, El Salvador. This location allows U.S. and partner nation aircraft the use of an existing airfield to support the region’s multinational efforts to Combat Transnational Organized Crime (CTOC). The CSLs are not bases. They are tenant activities on existing airfields whose purpose is to support CTOC missions. The unarmed aircraft offer unique surveillance capabilities that support and compliment the counter-drug efforts of partner nation law enforcement agencies. CSLs are the result of cooperative, long-term agreements between the United States and host nations.  

U.S. Southern Command oversees the operations from the CSLs. The U.S. Navy handles day-to-day operations at the CSL, and provides the military aircraft and personnel.  From these locations U.S. detection and monitoring aircraft fly missions to detect, monitor and track aircraft or vessels engaged in illicit drug trafficking. U.S. military, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S Customs personnel operate from the CSLs to support the U.S. aircraft and to coordinate communications and information.   

CSL Comalapa, El Salvador

SIFOREX is a biennial U.S. - Peruvian naval exercise that first took place in 2001. The exercise increases anti-submarine warfare (ASW) readiness and interoperability among participating naval forces. SIFOREX is one of the few opportunities where U.S. maritime forces train with and against live diesel submarines.

Commanding Officer

 

The base is led by Cmdr. Victor Barba.

Click here for full bio.

  Welcome Aboard!

 

Congratulations on your orders to Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa, El Salvador.  The below letter serves as an introduction, but also to provide you with a brief overview about your new duty station.

{Welcome Aboard Letter}