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 contain an
airbase,
hospital
A hospital is a healthcare institution providing patient treatment with specialized Medical Science, health science and auxiliary healthcare staff and medical equipment. The best-known type of hospital is the general hospital, which typically ...
,
machine shop
A machine shop or engineering workshop 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 tool (machining), cutting tools to make parts, usua ...
, and 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 forward operating base consists of a ring of barbed wire around a position with a fortified entry control point, or ECP. An ECP is a controlled entry and exit point of the FOB and typically has positions to protect personnel against personnel-borne improvised explosive devices (
PBIED) and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (
VBIED), plus blast mitigation with standoff protection.
More advanced FOBs include an assembly of
berm
A berm is a level space, shelf, or raised barrier (usually made of Soil compaction, 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 b ...
s, concrete barriers, gates,
guard towers,
pillboxes and
bunker
A bunker is a defensive military fortification designed to protect people and valued materials from falling bombs, artillery, or other attacks. Bunkers are almost always underground, in contrast to blockhouses which are mostly above ground. T ...
s and other force protection infrastructure. They are often built from
Hesco bastions.
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 Haditha Dam
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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
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
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Forward Operating Site
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Loss of Strength Gradient
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Main Operating Base
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Naval outlying landing field
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Satellite airfield
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List of established military terms
This is a list of established military terms which have been in use for at least 50 years. Since technology and doctrine have changed over time, not all of them are in current use, or they may have been superseded by more modern terms. However, th ...
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forward Operating Base
Military installations of the United States