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

Engineer Support to Combat Operations
hold an enemy in position, or facilitate other friendly operations. Offensive operations tend to highlight the
assured mobility imperatives and attack the enemy’s ability to influence operating areas and maintain
mobility and momentum. Engineer operations in support of offensive operations focus on enabling
movement and maneuver.
6-13. The engineer running estimate (discussed in chapter 2 and appendix F) provides the framework for
the ENCOORD to synchronize and integrate engineer support into offensive operations. Conducting
parallel planning is vital in allowing engineer units to position critical assets and to establish linkup and
task-organize to their supported units. Early linkup with supported maneuver units provides critical time
for combined arms planning and rehearsals. ENCOORDs at the appropriate echelon coordinate engineer
reconnaissance to support the collection of necessary OBSTINTEL and other technical information. They
also coordinate the movement and positioning of any required engineer augmentation assets (combat and
general engineering). Although general engineering assets can be placed in command or support
relationships with the maneuver force, task-organizing these assets directly to the combat engineering unit
being augmented may be more effective. General engineering assets require added time for movement with
their heavy and wheeled equipment. Though the focus of supporting offensive operations is on mobility,
there may be requirements for protective positions for artillery systems, ADA systems, logistics positions,
and stationary C2 facilities, especially during halts in the advance. During the early planning stages, terrain
analysis teams can provide information on soil conditions, vegetative concealment, and terrain masking
along march routes to facilitate survivability for the force. (More planning considerations for offensive
operations are discussed in chapter 2.)
CHARACTERISTICS
6-14. Surprise, concentration, audacity, and tempo characterize successful offensive operations. Maneuver
commanders sustain the initiative by committing their forces aggressively against enemy weaknesses.
Attacks are force or terrain-oriented and facilitate the defeat of the enemy or the continuation of the attack.
Maneuver commanders extend their attacks in time and space by engaging the enemy in depth and
destroying key elements of the enemy force.
Surprise
6-15. Surprise denies the enemy the opportunity to focus and synchronize combat power against the
attacking force. It prevents the enemy from massing forces or fires at a critical (possibly decisive) place
and time. In place of cohesive resistance, surprise can produce confusion, fear, and piecemeal resistance.
Factors that contribute to surprise include the tempo and intensity in executing the attack plan and
employing unexpected factors (selecting a less than optimal COA), varying operational tactics and
methods, conducting deception operations, and ensuring OPSEC. An enhanced COP and terrain
visualization enable engineer commanders to achieve surprise because they better understand enemy
defensive preparation. Engineers achieve surprise through obstacle reduction and the use of situational
obstacles. They enable surprise by rapidly overcoming obstacles, thus increasing the force tempo.
Concentration
6-16. Concentration is the massing of overwhelming effects to achieve a single purpose. The massing of
effects does not necessarily mean the physical massing of forces. With advancements in ground and air
mobility, target acquisition, and long-range precision fires, the concentration of effects can occur more
rapidly. The concentration of reduction assets and the negative influence from the presence of fortifications
and obstacle effects directly impact the maneuver unit’s ability to concentrate the terminal effects of its
fires. Concentration requires careful prior coordination within the combined arms team and with other
Services and multinational partners as required. Engineers begin the concentration planning by integrating
geospatial products and predicting threat obstacles. This effort is further enhanced with the employment of
engineer reconnaissance which can provide the necessary OBSTINTEL and other technical information
essential for detailed planning. This allows the maneuver force and the engineers that support them to
concentrate reduction assets and overcome obstacles or other impediments at the POP as part of the
maneuver unit breaching plan.
11 February 2009 FM 3-34.22 6-3