Forward operating location
A Forward Operating Location (FOL) , German: upstream operations base or advanced base , is a base of the armed forces of the United States in a host country. A FOL is basically an airport that can be used like a military base and that a temporary contract has been concluded with the host country for its use. A FOL can be used and expanded quickly in the event of a crisis, with normal operation requiring relatively few soldiers or even only technical personnel.
A FOL must allow aircraft to take off and land in all weather conditions and at night, be equipped with appropriate air traffic monitoring systems and a runway of at least 2500 m in length, and offer the capacity to maintain aircraft of all sizes. In addition, there must be sufficient capacities for fuel replenishment, for rescue operations in the event of accidents or extinguishing in the event of fires, as well as space for ramps, hangars , offices, maintenance and storage space.
In preparation for the Afghanistan and Iraq wars , the US set up several FOLs in the Gulf region , but not in the conflict areas themselves.
Several FOLs have also been set up in South America, e. B. Manta in Ecuador .
See also
- United States military bases in Latin America and the Caribbean
- List of United States military bases abroad