Forward Operating Base Duke

In 2004 Forward Operating Base Duke, or FOB Duke, was a base of the U.S. in Iraq, under the command of the USMC 11th MEU (SOC).

History

Later, the Mississippi National Guard assumed command and was visited by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour in November 2005. It was later occupied by units assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 4th Infantry Division (ID) from Fort Hood, TX during OIF rotation 05-07 from December 2005 to December 2006.

The 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment (3/16 FA) and the 204th Brigade Support Battalion (204th BSB) supported brigade combat operations in the An-Najaf and Babil provinces. The units sent M1114 Gun Trucks on Reconnaissance & Security (R&S) patrols outside the FOB. The patrols checked on all noticeable areas of interest (NAIs) outside the base and established observation posts (OPs) to detect suspicious persons, vehicles or activity near the FOB. Unauthorized persons, vehicles and/or activities presented a threat to the FOB and resupply convoys. They also made sure the protective concertina wire around the FOB was intact. They also had a “cop on the beat” role, monitoring local Bedouins and ensured that only authorized persons were present at landfill sites near the FOB. During daily R&S patrols, the Soldiers occasionally discovered Iraqi civilians exploring the bunkers outside the FOB for usable items that had been discarded or abandoned. Patrolling the perimeter and the immediate area reduced the ability of anti-Iraqi forces to attack the FOB.

Other bases occupied by the 2nd BCT, 4th ID during OIF rotation 05-07 included FOB Charlie, FOB Kalsu, and FOB Iskandariyah.

Iraqi officials and Multi-National Division – Baghdad leaders transferred responsibility of Forward Operating Base Duke to Iraqi security forces during a press conference Oct. 1.

See also

• List of United States Military installations in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Forward Operating Base Duke.