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

Chapter 4
Engineer Support to Security Operations
Strategy is the art of making use of time and space. Space we can recover; lost time, never.
—Napoleon Bonaparte
The BCT conducts security operations to provide early and accurate warnings of
threat operations, to provide the force being protected with time and maneuver space
within which to react to the threat, and to develop the situation to allow the
commander to effectively use the protected force. BCT units perform their security
operations as an organization or with reinforcements (engineer units). Security
operations are typically shaping operations and are an essential part of all offensive
and defensive operations. Each of the three primary forms of security operations
(screen, guard, and cover) provide differing levels of protection and early warning to
the force or facility for which they are providing security. The type and level of
engineer support also varies for each form of security operations. (Refer to
FM 3-20.96, FM 3-90, and FM 3-90.6 for more information on security operations in
the BCT.)
OPERATIONS
4-1. Security is essential to protect and conserve combat power. Security operations are conducted by a
military unit, an activity, or an installation to protect itself against all acts designed to (or that may) impair
its effectiveness. Security operations are inherent in every military operation. The purpose is to deny the
enemy knowledge of what the friendly force is doing. Security may be achieved by establishing protective
measures or by conducting deception operations that confuse and dissipate enemy attempts to interfere
with the force being secured. Effective security prevents the enemy from gaining an unexpected advantage
over friendly forces. Each commander is responsible for the security of his force. Security operations orient
on friendly forces and focus on providing BCT forces reaction time, maneuver space, and protection.
When properly task-organized, augmented, and supported, various elements assigned to or supporting a
BCT may perform security operations.
4-2. The modular BCT design added an RS to each BCT to serve as the BCT commander’s eyes and ears,
with reconnaissance as its primary role. The current patterns of operations stress fighting noncontiguous
battles over a larger AO. Battalions operate farther apart, presenting significant gaps on the battlefield.
Given these conditions, the RS is called upon with increased frequency to perform security missions.
Because the RS lacks organic engineers, augmentation may be required from EAB. However, organic
engineer forces within the BCT may be task-organized internally to support the RS, but this requires
commanders to accept a level of risk. Engineers in this role provide assured mobility to the RS (security
force) through M/CM/S and geospatial support.
4-3. Security operations consist of five fundamentals that engineers supporting the security force must
understand. (See FM 3-20.96, FM 3-90, and FM 3-90.6 for further details on these fundamentals.) The five
fundamentals for security operations are—
� Provide early and accurate warning.
� Provide reaction time and maneuver space.
� Orient on the force, area, or facility to be protected.
� Perform continuous reconnaissance.
� Maintain threat contact.
11 February 2009 FM 3-34.22 4-1