FOB NORMANDY, Iraq, May 13 (UPI) -- FOBs and COPs may sound like a new board game or Xbox distraction, but they're acronyms that actually define the lives of U.S. troops here.

Forward operating bases are the backbone of U.S. military presence and operations in Iraq. They are the large-to-humongous logistics and support areas where munitions and supplies are stored, vehicles are maintained or repaired, headquarters detachments are based, mail is received, medical care is available and life support activities -- such as showers and recreation centers -- help relieve the stress of deployment and missions "outside the wire." They go by names such as Marez, Balad, Warhorse, Q-West and Falcon.

Not all FOBs are the same. Some are small and basic, such as Normandy, which has virtually no recreation facilities unless you count one pool table, one fubu table, three televisions that recently vanished, and a guesstimated hundred or so paperbacks for the base's more than 600 soldiers and civilians. But residents do get access to computers and telephones, albeit after long waits, for calling home and communicating with family and friends.

And there are three hot meals a day, which is not to be denigrated, picnic-style plastic plates and utensils notwithstanding.

FOBs located within or as part of a fixed-wing airbase are the gems. Al Asad, which is 19 square miles in size, has three dining halls. The largest, called "Warrior Hall," is the size of two football fields side-by-side. In addition to "main line" and "short order" food counters, there's a special pasta bar, taco bar and health food bar, as well as a dessert bar.