Abstract
Throughout history, military forces have built encampments and bases in hostile areas to defend and sustain themselves while on campaign. The predominant criteria for site selection were and continue to be tactical and logistical concerns. This article applies a geographic perspective to US military base camp site selection in contingency operations such as Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, or Afghanistan. In particular, it argues that an all-hazards approach should be employed in the site selection process, and that the all-hazards approach be an integral part of the planning phase of base camp development and emerging site selection doctrine. This project begins with a discussion of the definition and application of the all-hazards approach, provides a case study based on the US military experience in Kosovo, and concludes with some suggestions for doctrinal, organizational, and technological improvements in the base camp establishment process.
Recommended Citation
Corson, Mark and Jasperro, Christopher
(2006)
"An All-Hazards Approach to US Military Base Camp Site Selection,"
The Geographical Bulletin: Vol. 48:
Iss.
2, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/thegeographicalbulletin/vol48/iss2/2