forward operating base
{{Short description|Secured forward military position}}
Image:Forward Operating Base Logar, Afghanistan.jpg (2007)]]
{{War}}
A forward operating base (FOB) is any secured forward operational level military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support strategic goals and tactical objectives.Royal Air Force Common Core and Deployment Skills Aide-Memoire AP 3242B VOL 5, ABBREVIATIONS A FOB may contain an airbase, hospital, machine shop, 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.militaryfactory.com/dictionary/military-terms-defined.asp?term_id=2213|title=forward operating base Official Definition (US DoD)|website=militaryfactory.com|access-date=10 April 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://fas.org/irp/doddir/dod/jp3_09_3.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010231801/https://fas.org/irp/doddir/dod/jp3_09_3.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Joint Publication 3-09.3 - Close Air Support|date=25 November 2014|archive-date=10 October 2010|work=Joint Chiefs of Staff}}{{Cite web |last=Elwell |first=Andrew |date=2011-12-01 |title=Defence IQ {{!}} Forward Operating Base (FOB) |url=https://www.defenceiq.com/glossary/forward-operating-base-fob |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=Defence IQ |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web|date=4 August 2020|title=PdD Combat Armaments and Protection Systems|url=https://www.pica.army.mil/pmccs/PmIEDDefeat/Deny/ECP.html|website=Project Manager Close Combat Systems|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=5 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105114420/http://www.pica.army.mil/pmccs/PmIEDDefeat/Deny/ECP.html|url-status=dead}}
More advanced FOBs include an assembly of berms, concrete barriers, gates, guard towers, pillboxes and bunkers and other force protection infrastructure. They are often built from Hesco bastions.{{cite web|url=http://www.alu.army.mil/alog/issues/SepOct07/FOB_groundup.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105737/http://www.alu.army.mil/alog/issues/SepOct07/FOB_groundup.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2016|title=Army Logistician (Building a FOB From the Ground Up)|website=www.alu.army.mil|access-date=10 April 2018}}
Bases in Iraq
{{main|List of United States Military installations in Iraq}}{{Div col|colwidth=12em}}
Bases in Afghanistan
{{main|List of ISAF installations in Afghanistan}}
FOBs in the United States
{{main|List of forward operating bases}}
Other reported Coalition installations in Afghanistan 2001–2016
{{mainarticle|List of ISAF installations in Afghanistan}}
See also
{{Commons category|Forward Operating Bases}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Fortifications}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forward Operating Base}}