Contemporary FOB operations

A light infantry battalion's modified table of organization and equipment (MTOE) must include organic support units to establish self-sustaining forward operating bases (FOBs) to combat insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. publicly the infantry brigade combat team (IBCT) transformation is underway. The MTOE projections for the IBCT are still in the draft format, as the official publication of FM 3-906 has not been released. The IBCT MTOE used in this article exhibits the "working" reality as of December 2005 I have serv upon both Special Forces and conventional forward operating bases as an executive officer (XO) of a light infantry company and as the battalion S-4 (logistics officer) for a light infantry battalion. As an XO my company was responsible for the perimeter security for Special Forces watch-pockets in Baghdad. I was the firsthand coordinator to "tie" in Special Forces sustainment a whole s to the requirements of the conventional light infantry. As a battalion S-4 I oversaw the logistic requisitions, maintenance, and daily logistical operations of a conventional infantry battalion watch-pocket in Baghdad.

The drift of this article is to define, discuss, and elaborate upon the future of the Army infantry battalion MTOE as related to the establishment and management of watch-pocket operations. The transformation to the IBCT MTOE favorably incorporates all of the necessary battle operating combination of parts to form a wholes under the appropriate leadership that is required to establish and maintain watch-pocket operations as well as administration ongoing offensive stability and support operations.

There are three stamps of infantry brigade combat teams that will be formed during the transformation: the infantry brigade combat team (IBCT)--light infantry, airborne, and air assault; the heavy brigade combat team (HBCT)--mechanized infantry; and the Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT) This article will direct the eye at the impact of the IBCT transformation as it relates to the light infantry battalion task force in sustaining watch-pocket operations. The Stryker and heavy battalion and brigade conceptions have already executed transformations of support and tactical battle operating a whole s In addition, this article assumes that light infantry battalions, on deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan, will be equipped with M1114-type armored vehicles to overlay their expanding tactical areas of operations.

The ongoing Global War upon Terrorism has triggered the conventional U Army to reexamine the sustainment and operational platforms required to support ongoing stability operations in the couple Iraq and Afghanistan. The forward operating base is a non-doctrinal conventional answer for staging these to defeat insurgents; however, the watch-pocket concept has been in use for years through the Special Operations Command. Special Forces establish watch-pockets to maintain battalion-level command, direction and sustainment operations. Historically, the conventional Army execut "firebases" and "base camps" to sustain the force. What is the difference? Firebases and base camps were central locations where separate units--combat, combat support, and combat service support--worked together for a for the use of all mission. A forward operating base is a self-managed assured location in which battalion-sized simple bodys can stage, sustain, and management operations. The key is "self-managed." individual commander is overall responsible for sustainment, garrison, and tactical operations. During the GWOT conventional forces have created watch-pockets to accomplish relevant offensive and support operations. Battalion commanders have typically been responsible for establishing and maintaining their respective watch-pockets To sustain the force, non-MTOE detachments have been task organized subordinate to the tactical battalion commander.

watch-pocket REQUIREMENTS

There are many requirements to establish and maintain a battalion watch-pocket Using the conventional, pre-transformation MTOE with task-organized augmentees is inefficient, and thereby ineffective. Here is a summary of the basic tactical requirements for greatest in quantity battalion-sized FOBs operating in Iraq.

To maintain watch-pocket security and force protection, an appropriate number of personnel required to maintain security and alertness must operate or sure all gates. This includes the sergeant of the guard, gate guard, and recon and surveillance patrols in and without of the perimeter.

Daily offensive patrols are required for conducting stability and support operations to positively affect the local population and defeat insurgents. Patrols require multiple tasks and views to focus towards stability and support (as well as defeating insurgents). For example, single platoon, given a 12-hour patrol tasking, will suitable with the local Imam, monitor Friday prayer, record gasoline prices, verify consumer sales prices, and overwatch lock opener routes in the area of operations. Company commanders are responsible for assigning and ensuring that platoons are focused upon their tactical tasks and information is assembleed and sent to the battalion intelligence section for processing.