observation post
Watchpoint for scouts
An observation post is a position from which military personnel or others can watch an area, typically for surveillance, reconnaissance, or directing fire.
The term applies to any location—a hilltop, rooftop, or fortified structure—chosen for its sightlines: Snipers established an observation post overlooking the intersection.
Often abbreviated OP.
Remote military station
- bunkerReinforced subterranean stronghold
- trenchLong narrow excavation
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
- garrisonStationed military force
sentry · lookout · perimeter · foxhole · pillbox · watchtower · guardhouse · stronghold
Observing to gather information
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- spottingPerceiving or identifying visually
artillery · targeting · rangefinder · binoculars · periscope · field glasses · optics · coordinates
Concealment through visual blending
- hiddenKept out of sight
- coverProtect by overlaying
- blindLacking the sense of sight
- ghillieScottish outdoor servant
netting · foliage · disguise · concealment · stealth · undetected · blending · screening
Height above reference point
- overlookMiss or commanding view
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- viewpointWay of seeing things
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
summit · hilltop · cliff · tower · rooftop · aerie · sightline · field of view
Ongoing observation of something
- watchPortable timekeeping device
- spottingPerceiving or identifying visually
- detectionAct of finding something
- trackingMonitoring location over time
sensor · camera · night vision · thermal imaging · early warning · guard duty · vigilance · alertness
outpost
Remote military station
- bunkerReinforced subterranean stronghold
- trenchLong narrow excavation
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
garrison · sentry · lookout · perimeter · foxhole · pillbox · watchtower · guardhouse · stronghold · barricade
scouting
Observing to gather information
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
spotting · artillery · targeting · rangefinder · binoculars · periscope · field glasses · optics · coordinates · radio
camouflage
Concealment through visual blending
ghillie · netting · foliage · disguise · concealment · stealth · undetected · blending · screening · natural cover
elevation
Height above reference point
ridge · summit · hilltop · cliff · tower · rooftop · aerie · sightline · field of view · visibility
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- watchPortable timekeeping device
- spottingPerceiving or identifying visually
- detectionAct of finding something
tracking · sensor · camera · night vision · thermal imaging · early warning · guard duty · vigilance · alertness · scanning
- military basesoldiers, barracks, HQ, troops, hangar
- vantage pointslookout, overlook, lookout tower, vantage, viewpoint
- Cold War SitesBerlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, Iron Curtain, Brandenburg Gate, Kremlin
- Peacekeepingpeacekeepers, peacekeeping missions, blue helmets, UN peacekeeping, UN missions
- Reconnaissancerecon, scouting, recce, recon team, lookout
- research stationsresearch station, research stations, field station, field camp, mobile lab
observation postgun emplacement
Fixed military firing position
attack position · bunker · forward operating base · staging area · fire base
observation postopen ground
observe, observer, observant, posting, observation, postman, postal, observed, observing