A forward operating base (FOB) is any secured forward
operational level military position, commonly a
military base
A military base is a facility directly owned and operated by or for the military or one of its branches that shelters military equipment and personnel, and facilitates training and operations. A military base always provides accommodations for ...
, that is used to support strategic goals and tactical objectives. A FOB may or may not contain an
airfield
An aerodrome ( Commonwealth English) or airdrome (American English) is a location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve air cargo, passengers, or neither, and regardless of whether it is for pub ...
,
hospital,
machine shop, or other logistical facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported by
main operating base
Main operating base (MOB) is a term used by the United States military defined as a "permanently manned, well protected base, used to support permanently deployed forces, and with robust sea and/or air access". This term was used to differentiate ...
s 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
berm
A berm is a level space, shelf, or raised barrier (usually made of compacted soil) separating areas in a vertical way, especially partway up a long slope. It can serve as a terrace road, track, path, a fortification line, a border/ separation ...
s, concrete barriers, gates, watchtowers, bunkers and other force protection infrastructure. They are often built from
Hesco bastion
The Concertainer, known colloquially as the HESCO MIL, Hesco barrier, or Hesco bastion, is a modern gabion primarily used for flood control and military fortifications. It is made of a collapsible wire mesh container and heavy duty fabric liner, ...
s. 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
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FOB Loyalty
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FOB Marez
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FOB MacKenzie
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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
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Advanced Landing Ground
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Fire support base
A fire support base (FSB, firebase or FB) is a temporary military encampment to provide artillery fire support to infantry operating in areas beyond the normal range of fire support from their own base camps. FSBs follow a number of plans, their ...
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Forward Operating Site
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Loss of Strength Gradient
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Main Operating Base
Main operating base (MOB) is a term used by the United States military defined as a "permanently manned, well protected base, used to support permanently deployed forces, and with robust sea and/or air access". This term was used to differentiate ...
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forward Operating Base
Military installations of the United States