Logistics Support Area

In the United States Army, a Logistics Support Area is a military term which refers to military facilities which act as depot, barracks, and transportation hubs, providing supplies and personnel to facilities closer to or within arenas of armed conflict. Although the term has been used by the armed forces of a number of nations, currently the term is most closely associated with the largest American bases in Iraq, established during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Within that context, the LSAs act both as division headquarters, major depots, fixed wing air bases, and rest and recreation areas supporting the Forward Operating Bases (FOB) from which most military operations emanate. Long term plans call for US and other Coalition Forces to hand over most existing FOBs to the Iraqi Security Forces and operate from the LSAs.

Within Iraq, the current LSAs are:

* LSA Adder, near Nasiriyah.
* LSA Anaconda, near Balad.
* LSA Diamondback, at Mosul Airbase.
* LSA Viper, near the Kuwaiti border.

While not listed as an LSA in the OIF order of battle, the enormous Baghdad International Airport facility fills a similar function.

ee also

* Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–present

Notes and References

* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/iraq.htm Globalsecurity.org, Iraq Occupation and Reconstruction, US Facilities]
* [http://archive.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/02/15/tomengelhardt/index.html Permanent Bases in Iraq?]