View source for Forward operating base

{{Short description|Secured forward military position}}
[[Image:Forward Operating Base Logar, Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Forward Operating Base Logar, [[Afghanistan]] (2007)]]
{{War}}
A '''forward operating base''' ('''FOB''') is any secured forward [[Operational level of war|operational level]] military position, commonly a [[military base]], that is used to support strategic goals and tactical objectives.<ref>Royal Air Force Common Core and Deployment Skills Aide-Memoire AP 3242B VOL 5, ABBREVIATIONS</ref> A FOB may contain an [[airbase]], [[Military hospital|hospital]], [[machine shop]], and other [[military logistics|logistical]] facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported by [[main operating base]]s that are required to provide backup support to them.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 ([[Suicide Bomb|PBIED]]) and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices ([[Car bomb|VBIED]]), plus blast mitigation with standoff protection.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

More advanced FOBs include an assembly of [[berm]]s, concrete barriers, gates, [[guard tower]]s, [[Pillbox (military)|pillboxes]] and [[bunker]]s and other force protection infrastructure. They are often built from [[Hesco bastion]]s.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Bases in Iraq==
{{main|List of United States Military installations in Iraq}}{{Div col|colwidth=12em}}
*[[Forward Operating Base Abu Ghraib|FOB Abu Ghraib]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Al Asad|FOB Al Asad]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Caldwell|FOB Caldwell]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Carpenter|FOB Carpenter]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Courage|FOB Courage]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Danger|FOB Danger]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Falcon|FOB Falcon]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Echo|FOB Echo]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Grizzly|FOB Grizzly]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Haditha Dam|FOB Haditha Dam<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Navy sailors patrol the waterways of the Haditha Dam Forward Operating Base. |url=https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Photos/igphoto/2002025597/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=www.defense.gov}}</ref>]] 	
*[[Forward Operating Base Iskandariyah|FOB Iskandariyah]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Kalsu|FOB Kalsu]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Loyalty|FOB Loyalty]]
*[[2004 Forward Operating Base Marez bombing|FOB Marez]]
*[[Forward Operating Base MacKenzie|FOB MacKenzie]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Q-West|FOB Q-West]]
*[[Forward Operating Base Speicher|FOB Speicher]]{{Div col end}}


==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}}
* [[Advance airfield]]
* [[Advanced Landing Ground]]
* [[Fire support base]]
* [[Forward Operating Site]]
* [[Loss of Strength Gradient]]
* [[Main Operating Base]]
* [[Naval outlying landing field]]
* [[Satellite airfield]]
* [[List of established military terms]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Fortifications}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Forward Operating Base}}
[[Category:Military installations of the United States]]