Counter-drug flights were made from these locations even as improvements were being made. Both CSL locations required minor construction improvements to include aircraft parking ramps, maintenance, and operations buildings. The formal 10-year access agreement with the Kingdom of the Netherlands was signed in March 2000 and the Netherlands` parliament ratified the agreement in October 2001. The CSL is at two locations: Curaçao`s Hato International Airport and Aruba`s Reina Beatrix International Airport. standards for safe operation by deployed aircraft and personnel (airfields must be night and all weather capable, have an air traffic control facility, and an 8,000-foot runway with the capability to support small, medium and heavy aircraft).Įach CSL at a glance Caribbean CSL (Aruba-Curacao, The Netherlands Antilles) Some CSLs required extensive U.S.-funded modifications and upgrades to ensure that airfield/support facilities and force protection measures meet U.S. aircraft to facilitate in-flight coordination with host nation authorities during operational missions. The operations out of the CSLs now yield more counter-drug surveillance “coverage” - at less cost - than previous efforts out of Howard Air Force Base.Īgreements with the host nations specify which missions may be flown from the CSLs and also authorize Host Nation Riders to fly aboard U.S. and allied nation interdiction aircraft to be forward deployed closer to cocaine departure points in the source zone. ability to implement the National Drug Control Strategy. With the closure of Howard Air Force Base in Panama in 1997, the establishment of CSLs within what officials call “source zones” (Andean Ridge) and “transit zones” (Caribbean, Eastern Pacific and Central America), was critical to the U.S. aircraft and to coordinate communications and information. Coast Guard and U.S Customs personnel operate from the CSLs to support the U.S. law enforcement agencies lead interdiction efforts in international waters.) (Note: Host nation officials are responsible for decisions to interdict suspected traffickers within their borders/airspace, and U.S. The unarmed aircraft offer unique surveillance capabilities that support and compliment the counter-drug efforts of partner nation law enforcement agencies. detection and monitoring aircraft fly missions to detect, monitor and track aircraft or vessels engaged in illicit drug trafficking. aircraft usage and operations.įrom these locations, U.S. The Key West, Fla.-based Joint Interagency Task Force South coordinates U.S. Southern Command oversees the operations from the CSLs. They are tenant activities on existing airfields whose purpose is to support CTOC missions ( see more on SOUTHCOM's role in Countering Transnational Criminal Organizations).
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