"The requirement to conduct counterinsurgency in Iraq and Afghanistan has refocused the Army on using patrol bases (PBs) to allow the troops to remain close to the population and the security forces they support. Operations staged from PBs offer some advantages, such as increased local engagement and security but also have some potential liabilities in the areas of force protection and Soldier quality of life. PBs are known by many names, joint security sites, combat outposts, among others. In this handbook, the term patrol base is used to cover all of these type of small outposts. Along with PBs, forward operations bases (FOBs) have been established to act as logistic sites and headquarters as well as places to allow Soldiers to rest and recuperate between missions. Typically larger than PBs, FOBs have their own unique security challenges. This handbook provides an overview of PB and FOB operations and presents evolving tactics, techniques, and procedures and useful observations, insights, and lessons from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The fundamentals of security, force protection, threat assessment, and command and control addressed in this handbook are applicable to both PBs and FOBs. " - Foreword

Cover title. "Mar 07"