George Crook fought against the Chiricahua Apache within two distnct regions and separate times in Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico. His field headquarters varied but generally centered around Fort Verde (1871–1875) and Fort Huachuca (1882–1886) shown in the maps and photos below. His most-elusive and dangerous foe was Geronimo who rampaged thru this region for years slaughtering settlers in isolated communties, ranchers and travellers to steal guns, ammunition, horses and livestock.
Both campaings did not consist of large military forces in massive battle formations opposing each other on an expansive battleground. Instead, the military would mobilize a modest force with sufficient supplies loaded on pack mules and then slowly seek the Chiricahua. The Chiricahua opponents on the other hand consisted of small multi-family bands that normally fled when approached by the militry to avoid direct confrontation.