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

Engineer Support to Security Operations
� Support the forward or rearward passage of lanes (open and close passage lanes, mark lanes and
passage points, and provide guides through passage points).
� Breach enemy obstacles affecting the guard force.
� Breach obstacles as required.
� Fight as engineers.
SCREEN MISSION
4-6. A force providing a screen is tasked to maintain surveillance; provide early warning to the main
body; or impede, destroy, or harass enemy reconnaissance within its capabilities without becoming
decisively engaged. A screen may be stationary or moving and may be conducted to the front, flanks, or
rear of a BCT or to the flanks or rear (but not in front) of a moving BCT. Generally, the BCT assigns
screen missions to the RS, although any subordinate maneuver unit can conduct screens.
4-7. The screen is appropriate when operations have created extended flanks, when gaps exist between
maneuver units that cannot be controlled, or when early warning is required in gaps that are not considered
critical enough to require security in greater strength. This permits the protected force commander to
maximize the security effort where contact is most expected.
4-8. A security force normally conducts a screen by establishing a series of OPs and patrols to ensure
adequate surveillance of the assigned area. The commander uses reconnaissance patrols (mounted,
dismounted, and aerial), relocates OPs, and employs technical assets to ensure continuous and overlapping
surveillance. The commander also employs terrain database analytical support systems to ensure the
integration of reconnaissance and surveillance assets to provide necessary coverage.
4-9. Unless the commander orders otherwise, a security force conducting a screen performs certain tasks
within the limits of its capabilities. A unit can normally screen an AA two echelons larger than itself, such
as a battalion scout platoon screening a battalion-size AA or a cavalry troop screening a regimental- or
brigade-size AA. If a security force does not have the time or other resources to complete all of these tasks,
the security force commander must inform the commander assigning the mission of the shortfall and
request guidance on which tasks must be completed and their priority. If the security unit commander
determines that he cannot complete an assigned task after starting the screen, such as maintaining
continuous surveillance on all AAs into an AO, he reports and awaits further instructions. Normally, the
main force commander does not place a time limit on the duration of the screen, as doing so may force the
screening force to accept decisive engagement. Screen tasks—
� Deny enemy ground elements passage through the screen undetected and unreported.
� Maintain continuous surveillance of all AAs larger than a designated size into the area under all
visibility conditions.
� Destroy or repel all enemy reconnaissance patrols within their capabilities.
� Locate the lead elements of each enemy advance guard and determine their direction of
movement in a defensive screen.
� Maintain contact with enemy forces and report any activity in the AO.
� Maintain contact with the main body and any security forces operating on its flanks.
� Impede and harass the enemy within its capabilities while displacing.
4-10. Typical engineer tasks may include engineer reconnaissance, selected hardening to support
survivability, the improvement of combat roads and trails to support mobility, and the emplacement of
situational obstacles to support countermobility. Situational obstacles may be used to disrupt and delay the
threat (in conjunction with indirect and direct fires) in EAs. (FM 90-7 [to be revised as FM 3-90.13]
provides specific guidance for planning situational obstacles.)
GUARD MISSION
4-11. A unit performing a guard mission has the primary task of protecting the main force by fighting to
gain time and allow freedom of maneuver for the protected force, while observing and reporting
11 February 2009 FM 3-34.22 4-3