Force Protection of Forward Operating Bases in Baghdad
Abstract
As the 16th Engineer Battalion arrived on the ground in Baghdad, Iraq, the No. 1 priority for all units was force protection. Units under 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, occupied central Baghdad east of the Tigris River. The major challenge facing units in the heart of the densely populated city was finding suitable and defendable terrain for forward operating bases (FOBs). This article reflects the impressions and experiences of a mechanized combat engineer company commander. It also describes the engineer mission three months into the deployment. Before deploying to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, our unit was unsure if we were going into high-intensity conflict (HIC), stability operations, or support operations. As it turned out, we are supporting all three. This article provides the military engineering community particularly lieutenants and captains some practical tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) used during Operation Iraqi Freedom and shows the flexibility required to accomplish the many nontraditional missions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA596269
Entities
People
- Jason M. Railsback
Organizations
- United States Army Engineer School