Forward Operating Base Budwan

Forward Operating Base Budwan, or more simply, FOB Budwan, was a military base located near Gereshk, in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. It was occupied by International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces from the United Kingdom and Denmark as part of Task Force Helmand during Operation Herrick (OP H).

FOB Budwan
FOB Armadillo
Nahri Saraj District, Helmand Province in Afghanistan
FOB Budwan is located in Afghanistan
FOB Budwan
FOB Budwan
Shown within Afghanistan
Coordinates31°53′41″N 064°42′00″E / 31.89472°N 64.70000°E / 31.89472; 64.70000
Site information
OwnerInternational Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
OperatorBritish Armed Forces
Royal Danish Army
Afghan National Army (ANA)
Site history
BuiltJanuary 2008 (2008)[1]
In use2008-2011 (2011)
Airfield information
Elevation869 metres (2,851 ft) AMSL
Helipads
Number Length and surface
00  Concrete

The base was originally named FOB Armadillo after the mascot of a Danish company commander, Major Anders Stæhr Storrud, who was killed three months before the base was established. The base was then renamed to FOB Budwan in 2010.[citation needed]

History

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It was one of three smaller forward operating bases (FOBs) used by British and Danish forces around Gereshk (the others being FOB Sandford and FOB Keenan) in addition to their headquarters at FOB Price.[citation needed]

FOB Armadillo

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It has been used by:

  • OP H IX - 3 Commando Brigade (October 2008 - April 2009):
  • OP H X - 19th Light Brigade (April 2009 - October 2009):
  • OP H XI - 11 Light Brigade (October 2009 - April 2010):

The base was renamed in 2010 to Budwan


Film

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A Danish documentary film of the same name released in 2010, followed a group of Danish soldiers from the Guard Hussars stationed at the base.

FOB Budwan

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It has been used by:

The closing and disassembling of Budwan started in December 2010. The last troops and equipment left in late January 2011. The units stationed there were relocated to other bases around Gereshk.[6]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Bishop 2009, p. 78.
  2. ^ Coldstream 2016, p. 61.
  3. ^ a b "Taliban attacks goes up in smoke" (PDF). Defence Newspapers - Army. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Australian and British forces compete for 'Afghan Ashes'". MoD. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  5. ^ "P10271.150". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  6. ^ Anthony Loyd (21 January 2008). "Moving day Helmand style: how to turn a farm into a fortress". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 8 October 2008. Retrieved 5 December 2010.

References

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  • Bishop, P (2009). Ground Truth. UK: HarperPress. ISBN 978-0-00-729665-1.
  • Guards, Coldstream (2016). 10 Years in Afghanistan. UK: Coldstream Guards.