Department of the Air Force

Military Construction Program

Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 - Budget Estimates - Justification Data Submitted to Congress - May 2009

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Location (CSL) at Palanquero best supports the COCOM’s Theater Posture Strategy and demonstrates our commitment to this relationship. Development of this CSL provides a unique opportunity for full spectrum operations in a critical sub region of our hemisphere where security and stability is under constant threat from narcotics funded terrorist insurgencies, anti-US governments, endemic poverty and recurring natural disasters. This project will accommodate transport/supply, fueling and operational aircraft in the AOR.

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Access to Columbia will further its strategic partnership with the United States. The strong security cooperation relationship also offers an opportunity for conducting full spectrum operations throughout South America to include mitigating the Counternarcotics capability.

Palanquero is unquestionably the best site for investing in infrastructure development within Columbia. Its central location is within reach of Andean Ridge counter narco-terrorist operations areas ; the superb runway and existing airfield facilities will reduce construction costs ; its isolation maximizes Operational Security (OPSEC) and Force Protection and minimizes the U.S. military profile. The intent is to leverage existing infrastructure to the maximum extent possible, improve the U.S. ability to respond rapidly to crisis, and assure regional access and presence at minimum cost.

Palanquero supports the mobility mission by providing access to the entire South American continent with the exception of the Cape Horn region if fuel is available, and over half of the continent unrefueled.