FM 3-34.22 - Army Electronic Publications & Forms - U.S. Army

Integration of Engineer Operations
� Detect. Using ISR assets, engineers and other planners identify the location of natural and
man-made obstacles, preparations to create and emplace obstacles, and potential means for
obstacle creation. They identify actual and potential obstacles and propose solutions and
alternate COAs to minimize or eliminate their potential impact.
� Prevent. Engineers and other planners apply this fundamental by denying the enemy’s ability to
influence mobility. This is accomplished by forces acting proactively before the obstacles are
emplaced or activated. This may include aggressive action to destroy enemy assets and
capabilities before they can be used to create obstacles.
� Avoid. If prevention fails, the commander maneuvers forces to avoid impediments to mobility,
if this is viable within the scheme of maneuver.
� Neutralize. Engineers and other planners plan to neutralize, reduce, or overcome obstacles and
impediments as soon as possible to allow the unrestricted movement of forces.
� Protect. Engineers and other elements plan and implement survivability and other protection
measures that deny the enemy’s ability to inflict damage as joint forces maneuver. This may
include countermobility missions to deny the enemy maneuver and provide protection to
friendly maneuvering forces.
MOBILITY, COUNTERMOBILITY, AND SURVIVABILITY
2-44. Increased engineer requirements in the OE may limit engineer resources immediately available to
support the multitude of engineer tasks in support of BCT operations. Combat engineering (M/CM/S) and
general engineering requirements are often in competition for the same engineer assets. As is the case with
other reconnaissance capabilities, commanders must balance the application of engineer reconnaissance
against the corresponding trade-off in primary capability. In the case of engineers, engineer units tasked to
conduct a specified reconnaissance task may not be available for employment on other M/CM/S tasks. The
maneuver commander must set priorities to allow the force to perform the most critical tasks first. The
ENCOORD and other staff members assist the maneuver commander by identifying essential tasks for
M/CM/S.
2-45. Essential tasks for M/CM/S support assured mobility in a similar fashion to how essential fire
support tasks support targeting. An essential task for M/CM/S is a specified or implied M/CM/S task that is
critical to combined arms mission success. These tasks are identified from the specified and implied tasks
listed during mission analysis. From these tasks, combined with the maneuver commander’s guidance, the
ENCOORD and other staff representatives recommend essential tasks for M/CM/S to the maneuver
commander during the mission analysis brief. At the conclusion of the mission analysis brief, the
commander approves those essential tasks for M/CM/S.
2-46. After essential tasks for M/CM/S are approved, the ENCOORD and other planners integrate them
into COA development. They develop associated methods to complete the essential tasks for M/CM/S by
assigning resources and recommending priorities. The ENCOORD and other planners, in coordination with
the maneuver planner, synchronize the methods to achieve the desired effects on enemy or friendly forces.
A fully developed essential task for M/CM/S must be one in which—
� The task is one or more clearly defined and measurable activity that can be accomplished by the
required individuals and organizations to achieve desired effects. (See FM 7-0.)
� The desired or intended result of the task is stated in terms relating to the purpose of the
supported unit. This portion of the essential task for M/CM/S explains why it must be
accomplished. It also provides intent to the engineer commander so that he can be reactive as the
situation changes.
Note. Essential tasks are the most important M/CM/S tasks that must be accomplished. Often,
the entire operation depends on completing these tasks; and without their successful completion,
the operation is at risk.
11 February 2009 FM 3-34.22 2-13