A forward operating base (FOB) is any secured forward
operational level
In the field of military theory, the operational level of war (also called operational art, as derived from russian: оперативное искусство, or operational warfare) represents the level of command that connects the details of ...
military position, commonly a
military base, that is used to support strategic goals and tactical objectives. A FOB may or may not contain an
airfield,
hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment with specialized health science and auxiliary healthcare staff and medical equipment. The best-known type of hospital is the general hospital, which typically has an emerge ...
,
machine shop
A machine shop or engineering workshop (UK) is a room, building, or company where machining, a form of subtractive manufacturing, is done. In a machine shop, machinists use machine tools and cutting tools to make parts, usually of metal or plast ...
, or other logistical facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported by
main operating bases that are required to provide backup support to them. A FOB also improves reaction time to local areas as opposed to having all troops on the main operating base.
Description
In its most basic form, a FOB consists of a ring of barbed wire around a position with a fortified entry control point, or ECP. More advanced FOBs include an assembly of
berms, concrete barriers, gates, watchtowers, bunkers and other force protection infrastructure. They are often built from
Hesco bastions. FOBs will also have an Entry Control Point (ECP). An ECP is a controlled entry and exit point of the FOB and will typically have positions to protect personnel against Personnel Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (PBIED) and Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED), along with blast mitigation with standoff protection.
Bases in Iraq
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FOB Abu Ghraib
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FOB Al Asad
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FOB Caldwell
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FOB Carpenter
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FOB Courage
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FOB Danger
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FOB Falcon
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FOB Echo
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FOB Grizzly
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FOB Iskandariyah
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FOB Kalsu
Forward Operating Base Kalsu, also known as 'FOB Kalsu', COS Kalsu or simply Camp Kalsu, was a U.S. Military installation in Iskandariya, Iraq, 20 miles south of Baghdad. It was officially closed by members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Ca ...
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FOB Loyalty
Forward Operating Base Loyalty is a former forward operating base used by the U.S. Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn located in the New Baghdad District (Arabic: بغداد الجديدة) of Baghdad, Iraq.
FOB Iron Ho ...
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FOB Marez
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FOB MacKenzie
FOB MacKenzie formerly FOB Pacesetter (Samarra East Air Base under Saddam Hussein) was a U.S. Army Forward Operating Base that is located in northern Iraq approximately 96 kilometers (60 mi) north of Baghdad, and about 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) northe ...
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FOB Q-West
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FOB Speicher
FOB Haditha Dam
Bases in Afghanistan
FOBs in the United States
Other reported Coalition installations in Afghanistan 2001–2016
See also
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Advance airfield Advance airfield and forward airfield are military terms for a relatively primitive ad-hoc airfield used for refueling and re-arming air units as part of forward operations near the enemy. Also called advanced airfield for its advanced position, not ...
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Advanced Landing Ground
Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) were temporary advance airfields constructed by the Allies during World War II during the liberation of Europe. They were built in the UK prior to the invasion and thereafter in northwest Europe from 6 June 19 ...
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Fire support base
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Forward Operating Site
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Loss of Strength Gradient
The Loss of Strength Gradient (LSG) is a military concept devised by Kenneth E. Boulding in his 1962 book ''Conflict and Defense: A General Theory''. He argued that the amount of a nation's military power that could be brought to bear in any part ...
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Main Operating Base
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forward Operating Base
Military installations of the United States