FOB

Question 1

FOBs in insurgency-affected areas facilitate for area domination, intelligence collection and conduct of effective CI tactical operation. Following points should be considered while establishing FOB. CD-(LP)2

Answer 1

i. It should be closer/within the hostile influenced area.
ii. Duration of troops in a FOB should be not less than six months.
iii. Location should be in such place from where effective operations can be launched to destroy the hostiles.
iv. Location of FOB should be able to withstand any kind of hostile threat.
v. Political situations/activities should be considered while selecting the base, from where security can be provided to the local population.
vi. Public opinion/aspiration.

Question 2

While siting of FOB, following points should be considered.

Answer 2

i. Location of the base should be either ideal from the tactical point of view or should be important place in the AOR, where we can apply all the principal of defence.
iii. The principal of counterinsurgency operation should be to win the hearts and minds of the local population by providing them security. Keeping this point in mind, the base should be established closer to the village, which makes easier to secure them, but it should not be too close.
iii. It is desirable to have a landing point at close proximity.
iv. Place providing easy communication access.
v. Health, enthusiasm and morale of the soldiers should not be undermined, so all the basic facilities like water, lodging, entertainment, games, telephone and postal facilities etc should be managed.

Question 3

Capabilities of FOB. The more CI operations are conducted from FOB; the more positive attitude can be created in civilian towards government and SF.To achieve the goals, FOB should have following capabilities.

Answer 3

i. Troops should be physically fit for operations.
ii. It should be capable of countering the offensive action of insurgents at least for two days.
iii. Troops should be capable to defend until the reinforcement arrives at the time when some troops gone outside for operation.
iv. Capable of launching one to two days turn around operations (Raid or Patrolling) from FOB.

Question 4

COA. To have the above-mentioned capabilities, the FOBs should follow the following courses of actions to achieve the predetermined goals.

Answer 4

i. Formations/ units should coordinate with each other to establish FOBs in AOR and make them mutually supported. Coordination is more essential while establishing FOBs in inter formation/unit boundaries.
iii. FOB should block the insurgent’s movement and supply corridors and to address the highly affected area which helps to make the people positive towards SF.
iv. There should be adequate strength in FOB for one or two-day turn around operation especially at night. If we conduct day operations only due to lack of troops, insurgents can bypass the FOB and continue their activities at night.
v. Depending upon the information received, operations should be conducted in co- ordination with two or more FOBs to minimize the insurgent’s threat/activities and concentration of bail force.
vi. Continuous area domination operations cause fatigue in troops whereas the operations only on accurate information lacks area dominations other must be balance. All the CI operations (patrolling, check point, covert ops, CASO, SADO) should create positive impact on civilian population.