# Firebase Wilderness > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Firebase_Wilderness > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Firebase_Wilderness.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firebase_Wilderness > Source revision: 1326373921 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Infobox military installation | name = Combat Outpost/Firebase Wilderness | native_name = | partof = | location = Gerda Serai District, Paktia Province, Afghanistan | image = 250px|center | caption = A [M777](/source/M777) 155 mm howitzer being sling-loaded to a [CH-47 Chinook](/source/CH-47_Chinook) helicopter at Combat Outpost Wilderness, Afghanistan, Oct. 31, 2013 | map_type = Afghanistan | map_relief = | map_size = 250 | map_alt = Located near the border between Khost and Paktia | map_caption = Approximate location of COP/FB Wilderness | type = [Fire Support Base](/source/Combat_Outpost) | coordinates = {{coord|33.28|69.22|type:landmark|display=inline}} | code = | built = {{Start date|2006}} | builder = [Special Troops Battalion,
3rd BCT, 10th MTN DIV](/source/Special_Troops_Battalion%2C_3rd_Brigade_Combat_Team%2C_10th_Mountain_Division_(United_States)) | materials = | height = | used = 2006–2013 | demolished = | condition = | ownership = | open_to_public = | controlledby = {{flag|United States}}
{{army|USA}} | garrison = [3rd BCT, 10th MTN DIV](/source/3rd_Brigade_Combat_Team%2C_10th_Mountain_Division_(United_States))
[4th BCT, 82nd ABN DIV](/source/508th_Parachute_Infantry_Regiment)
[4th BCT, 101st ABN DIV](/source/506th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States))
[4th BCT, 25th INF DIV](/source/4th_Brigade_Combat_Team_(Airborne)%2C_25th_Infantry_Division)
[3rd BCT, 101st ABN DIV](/source/187th_Regimental_Combat_Team_and_1%2F40th_Cavalry)
[3rd BCT, 1st INF DIV](/source/3rd_BCT%2C_1st_INF_DIV) | commanders = | occupants = [203rd Corps, ANA](/source/Afghan_National_Army)
[Embedded Training Teams](/source/Embedded_Training_Teams) | battles = [Operation Enduring Freedom](/source/Operation_Enduring_Freedom) | events = | image2 = | caption2 = }} '''Firebase Wilderness''', also known as '''Forward Operating Base Tellier''', was a joint U.S.-Afghan outpost in [Afghanistan](/source/Afghanistan), in the [Gerda Serai District](/source/Gerda_Serai_District) of [Paktia](/source/Paktia) Province. == Overview == The strategic position of FB Wilderness enabled U.S. and Afghan forces to provide security along the [Khost-Gardez Pass](/source/Khost-Gardez_Pass), a critical route through the [Sulaiman Mountains](/source/Sulaiman_Mountains), which connects downtown [Khost](/source/Khost) to [Gardez](/source/Gardez) City.{{cite web|title=Firebase Wilderness|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/fb_wilderness.htm |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|access-date=11 November 2013|date=7 May 2011}}{{cite press release|last=Otero|first=Stephen|title=Combined Action in the Khost-Gardez Pass|url=http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/news/combined-action-in-the-khost-gardez-pass.html|access-date=11 November 2013|publisher=ISAF |year=2009|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112202528/http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/news/combined-action-in-the-khost-gardez-pass.html|archive-date=12 November 2013}} FB Wilderness was first occupied in late 2006 after being built from scratch by elements of [3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division](/source/Special_Troops_Battalion%2C_3rd_Brigade_Combat_Team%2C_10th_Mountain_Division_(United_States)). FB Wilderness then served as a base of operations for [U.S. military elements](/source/United_States_Armed_Forces), [Afghan National Army](/source/Afghan_National_Army) soldiers from 1st Brigade, 203rd ANA Corps, and Afghan regional policemen.{{cite news|last=Pintagro|first=Michael|title=New firebase boosts regional security, transportation|url=http://www.drum.army.mil/mountaineer/Article.aspx?ID=3095|access-date=11 November 2013|newspaper=Fort Drum Mountaineer|year=2006|archive-date=12 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112201101/http://www.drum.army.mil/mountaineer/Article.aspx?ID=3095|url-status=dead}} During the [Soviet invasion of Afghanistan](/source/Soviet%E2%80%93Afghan_War) in the 1980s, the area of the K-G Pass that Wilderness occupied was the site of frequent mujahedeen attacks on convoys including the [Battle for Hill 3234](/source/Battle_for_Hill_3234).{{cite news|last=Gady|first=Franz-Stefan|title=Even as U.S. hands over fight to Afghans, some troops still take fire|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/26/3586813/even-as-us-hands-over-fight-to.html |access-date=11 November 2013|newspaper=Miami Herald |author2=Price, Jay|date=8 August 2013}} The historically hostile region was considered a hotbed of activity, especially during the summer months when insurgent forces often targeted Wilderness with mortars and rockets.{{cite news|last=Baker III|first=Fred|title=Reporter's Notebook: Forward Operating Base Gardez 'Feels' Like Afghanistan |url=http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=53019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610194334/http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=53019|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2015|access-date=11 November 2013|newspaper=American Forces Press Release|date=10 Feb 2009}} In 2007, [82nd Airborne Division](/source/82nd_Airborne_Division) paratroopers from [4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment](/source/508th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)) and based at FB Wilderness, renamed the firebase to [FOB](/source/Forward_Operating_Base) Tellier in honor of their fallen brother, Sergeant Zachary D. Tellier.{{cite news|title=Army Sgt. Zachary D. Tellier|url=http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=CC&Date=20120511&Category=MEDIA0150&ArtNo=511009990&Ref=PH&Presentation=desktop#img-1|access-date=15 November 2013|newspaper=Cape Cod Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232107/http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=CC&Date=20120511&Category=MEDIA0150&ArtNo=511009990&Ref=PH&Presentation=desktop#img-1|archive-date=2 December 2013|url-status=dead}} During a gun battle with insurgent forces in the vicinity of FB Wilderness, SGT Tellier was fatally wounded on Sept. 29, 2007.{{cite press release|title=DoD Identifies Army Casualty |publisher=Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)|access-date=15 November 2013 |date=1 October 2007 |url=http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11376|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302010940/http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11376|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 2, 2010}} In October 2008, the [CBS](/source/CBS) news program ''[60 Minutes](/source/60_Minutes)'' aired a report by [Lara Logan](/source/Lara_Logan) from FB Wilderness titled "Afghanistan: Fighting In A "'Hornet's Nest'".{{cite news|title=Afghanistan: Fighting In A "Hornet's Nest"|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/afghanistan-fighting-in-a-hornets-nest/|access-date=11 November 2013|work=CBS News|date=3 Sep 2009}} == U.S. military occupants == Since its establishment in December 2006, U.S. Army units have assumed control of Wilderness, including: * [3rd BCT, 10th Mountain Division](/source/3rd_Brigade_Combat_Team%2C_10th_Mountain_Division_(United_States)) * [508th Parachute Infantry Regiment](/source/508th_Parachute_Infantry_Regiment), 82nd Airborne Division{{cite news|last=Clare|first=Micah|title=Second unit in 82nd history wins coveted award|url=http://www.dvidshub.net/news/15859/second-unit-82nd-history-wins-coveted-award#.UoCUBJFaRVg|access-date=11 November 2013|newspaper=U.S. Army News Release|date=28 Jan 2008}} * [506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division](/source/506th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)) * [4th BCT, 25th Infantry Division](/source/4th_Brigade_Combat_Team_(Airborne)%2C_25th_Infantry_Division) * [187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division](/source/187th_Regimental_Combat_Team){{cite press release|last=Pinnington|first=Abram|title=In the darkness of Wilderness, Rakkasans maintain readiness|url=http://www.army.mil/media/276545|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924003650/http://www.army.mil/media/276545|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|access-date=11 November 2013|publisher=U.S. Army |date=20 Dec 2012}} * C Troop 1-61 Cavalry * B Troop, and D Troop, 6th Squadron, [4th Cavalry Regiment](/source/4th_Cavalry_Regiment), 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division * A Battery 1st platoon 1st Battalion 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division * A Battery, 1st Platoon, 4th Battalion, [320th Field Artillery Regiment](/source/320th_Field_Artillery_Regiment), 4th Brigade Combat Team, [101st Airborne Division](/source/101st_Airborne_Division){{cite news |title=Settling unto |journal=ARMY |date=June 2008 |pages=52–66 |url=https://www.ausa.org/sites/default/files/Avallone_0608.pdf |language=en}}[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/afghanistan-fighting-in-a-hornets-nest/ CBS News: Afghanistan: Fighting In A "Hornet's Nest"] == See also == * [List of ISAF installations in Afghanistan](/source/List_of_ISAF_installations_in_Afghanistan) == References == {{reflist}} == External links == * [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/afghanistan-fighting-in-a-hornets-nest/ CBS News: Afghanistan: Fighting In A "Hornet's Nest"] {{War on Terrorism|state=collapsed}} {{War in Afghanistan|state=collapsed}} Category:Military installations of the United States in Afghanistan Category:Fire support bases --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Firebase Wilderness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firebase_Wilderness) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firebase_Wilderness?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.