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

Chapter 6
adequate time for rehearsals with the gaining or supported unit. The employment of engineer
reconnaissance (discussed in chapter 3) as part of the ISR effort helps generate OBSTINTEL, which
provides the necessary detailed picture of the enemy situation. If breaching operations are anticipated, the
breaching organization is established based on detailed reverse planning (see appendix C). Engineer
priority of effort is toward mobility, with the priority of support to the main effort. Countermobility effort,
primarily through the employment of situational obstacles, is initially directed at supporting the isolation
and fixing of enemy forces and protecting the flanks. Upon seizure of the objective and depending on the
follow-on mission, engineers are prepared to conduct countermobility and survivability operations in
support of a defense, while mobility operations center on clearing obstacles or improving lanes to support
friendly movement. (See FM 3-90, FM 3-90.5 and FM 3-90.6 for more information.)
Exploitation
6-26. An exploitation rapidly follows a successful attack to take advantage of a weakened or collapsed
enemy and seeks to expand an attack to the point where enemy forces have no alternative but to surrender
or flee. It is normally not conducted below the BCT level. The BCT (or higher-level unit) attacks rapidly
over a broad front to prevent the enemy from establishing a defense, organizing an effective rear guard,
withdrawing, or regaining balance. The BCT secures objectives, severs escape routes, and destroys all
enemy forces. The exploitation mission demands a force with a significant mobility advantage over the
enemy.
6-27. Engineers support an exploitation by breaching obstacles to facilitate the maneuver of ground forces,
keeping supply routes open and emplacing situational obstacles to protect the flanks. (See FM 3-90, FM 3-
90.5, and FM 3-90.6 for more information.)
Pursuit
6-28. A pursuit is designed to catch or cut off a hostile force attempting to escape with the aim of
destroying it. Pursuits often follow successful exploitations, but can develop at any point when enemy
forces are beginning to disintegrate or disengage. Unlike an exploitation, which may focus on seizing key
or decisive terrain instead of the enemy force, the pursuit always focuses on destroying the fleeing enemy
force. A pursuit is normally not conducted at the BCT level unless it is augmented with additional aviation
assets or ground maneuver units. When conducted, the goal of a pursuit is to fix the enemy between the
direct-pressure and encircling forces, then, destroy it.
6-29. The direct-pressure and encircling forces require engineers to be forward in movement formations to
quickly breach any obstacles that cannot be bypassed, thus ensuring unimpeded movement. Engineers also
conduct countermobility and survivability tasks in support of the encircling force. Normally, the
commander does not organize specifically for a pursuit ahead of time, although he may plan for a pursuit as
a branch or sequel to his offensive operation. (See FM 3-90, FM 3-90.5, and FM 3-90.6 for more
information.)
FORMS OF MANEUVER
6-30. The maneuver commander selects the form of maneuver based on analysis of mission variables. An
operation may contain several forms of offensive maneuver. For example, a frontal attack to clear enemy
security forces is followed by a penetration to create a gap in enemy defenses, which in turn is followed by
an envelopment to destroy a counterattacking force.
6-31. The five forms of maneuver are—
� Envelopment.
� Turning movement.
� Frontal attack.
� Penetration.
� Infiltration.
6-6 FM 3-34.22 11 February 2009