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A cooperative security location (CSL) is a U.S. military term for facilities used for regional training in counterterrorism and interdiction of drug trafficking, and also to provide contingency access to continental areas.
"A CSL is a host-nation facility with little or no permanent U.S. personnel presence, which may contain equipment and/or logistical arrangements and serve for security cooperation activities and contingency access."[1] These sites were established as the Pentagon began to address regional threats primarily in Africa and Latin America following its 2004 global posture review.[2] They are sometimes referred to as "lily pads".[3] The establishment of such bases accelerated under the Obama administration, especially with the pivot to the Asia-Pacific region and increased operations in Africa.[4] A CSL is not a forward operating site (FOS) with a small permanent force or contractor personnel or a main operating base (MOB), with a large force and a well-defended site. Canada has established operational support hubs that operate in a similar fashion and can be reached by Canada's fleet of C-17 cargo aircraft.[5]