Inmilitary terminology, anoutpost is a location wheredetachments ofmilitary personnel are stationed at a distance from the mainarmed force orformation in a region. Outposts are usually located in remote or sparsely populated areas, positioned to observe and defend against unauthorized intrusions and surprise attacks, serving as the first line of defense. The station occupied by such troops, usually asmall military base orsettlement in an outlyingfrontier, limit, political boundary or in another country. Outposts can also be calledminiature military bases based on size and number of troops it houses.[1] Oldest known use is from the 16th century "station when on duty, a fixed position or place," 1590s, from French poste "place where one is stationed,"
Military outposts, most recently referred to as combat outposts (COPs), served as a cornerstone ofcounterinsurgency doctrine inIraq andAfghanistan. These permanent or semi-permanent structures, often located in or near populated areas, enabled military forces to secure key lines of communication or infrastructure, secure and co-opt the populace, assist the government in restoring essential services, and forceinsurgents to operate elsewhere.[2] Combat outposts were almost unanimously described in positive terms by defense analysts and military officers as a means through which to carry out its counterinsurgency efforts.[3]
