This may sound like a silly question, but I was raised in the Air Force so I am not real familiar with the Army.
I am in the process of adding bases to the database and have come across several that are referred to as both FOB and Camp. (Ie: FOB Falcon, Camp Falcon).
Is there a distinction between the two or does FOB and Camp basically mean the same thing? I want to enter the bases correctly to cut down on confusion and keep things uniform so please help me!
If it does mean the same thing, or the bases are commonly referred to as both, which would be more proper of the two?
By the book, a FOB is any foward operating position that suports tactical operations. It actually should not be used as a designator or title for a facility, but the names usually stick as that's how it's listed on supply maps etc. Many installations are designated FOBs for certain units, but not for others. When it's listed as just FOB, it's usually because it's official designation is some combination of letters and numbers that only a logistician at some higher element knows.
For instance after Operation Desert Thunder, Camp Doha was designated a FOB for Coalition/Joint Task Force-Kuwait, since it's the foward element of C/JTF-KU supporting their tactical operations, but it's just another installation for everyone else.
If something is listed as Camp, NAS, AFB, NSA etc. that would be the proper title, since FOB is not actually an installation name(it's just easier saying FOB whatever, than saying Point-x123f24xB with AA and undeveloped Helo Pad). The IPDS setup at Ft. Bliss is a designated FOB for 19th Quartermaster Co. and the reserve units that operate it, but still just Ft. Bliss.
You mentioned the Air Force here's an AF example: Kirkuk Airbase is a FOB for both the Airforce and Army, however the facilities titles are Kirkuk Airbase and Camp Warrior, many still refer to it as FOB Warrior though.
Royal Air Force Fairford, England (USAFENS) is a regualr old British military installation, however it's a designated FOB for the 457th Air Expeditionary Group if the U.S. Air Force.
Andrew is correct about FOB vs Camp. As we all know, at least soldiers, a "camp" is generally a non-permanent army installation whereas a "fort" is a permanent installation. That's the way it's always been since Custer's time.
The FOB - Forward Operating Base is just another designation which in Iraq is used interchangeably with "camp" You will run into this with installations, the best word that covers all facilities. So for Army installations you will generally see "fort" or "camp" For lists of present day forts see http://www.army.mil/organization/forts.html
When you see Army Units they will mostly be "divisions" or "active units"
For divisions see http://www.army.mil/organization/Divisions.html
For active units see http://www.army.mil/organization/activeunits.html)
Hey Sgt Z, I worked for awhile at a military logistics contractor for awhile after I got out., They had a stack of FM's, TM's, TB's, PAM's etc. about 3 feet high that deal with nothing else but installation designations, and how to do them.
Don't forget Camp War Eagle, Sadr City....the hellhole nobody liked to go to.Shoot even Henry Rollins got scared and took off after our daily mortar attack.
FOB = small PX, usually don't carry my brand of cigarettes.
Camp = larger PX, might carry my brand of cigarettes
Anything with Airforce personnel = HUGE PX, carry my cigareetes but pogues usually buy them all out.
COP (Combat Outpost) = no PX or anything, I've always been at these, and have to resort to buying hajji cigarettes.
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