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

Mobility
� Possible enemy counterattack routes in support of the objective.
� Critical infrastructure that needs protection.
Engineer Support to Combat Operations
6-66. Mobility is the main focus of engineer units during an infiltration, with priority of support to the
main effort along the infiltration lane. Due to the decentralized nature of the maneuver, providing taskorganized
engineer support to each infiltrating unit may not be feasible. Maneuver units must be trained
and capable of executing the mobility operations anticipated on infiltration lanes. The requirement for
dedicated support during the infiltration is minimized through the following:
� Detailed predictive analysis by staff planners, represented on an enemy situational template
(SITEMP).
� Accurate and timely intelligence updates provided by engineers working with scouts during
reconnaissance.
� Detailed combined arms rehearsals.
Actions on the Objective
6-67. To provide adequate support to maneuver battalions and the RS during actions on the objective,
detailed engineer planning at the brigade centers on war-gaming likely contingencies and transitions.
Engineers may be task-organized to one or more maneuver battalions or the RS in a command relationship
during the infiltration and for subsequent actions on the objective. This ensures the maneuver commander’s
flexibility to further task-organize engineers and establish absolute control during breaching operations that
follow actions on the objective. Subsequent, on-order missions (defense) may dictate a change in the task
organization of engineer units. They may need to change from a command relationship to a support
relationship with maneuver battalions or the RS. This is done to speed up the response of engineer units
and ensure responsive sustainment support.
Sustainment
6-68. Infiltrations often require clearing extended MSRs from the LD to the attacking force. MSRs become
particularly vital when the objective is secured and the attacking force requires support (Class V resupply,
ground medical evacuation [MEDEVAC], barrier materials, engineer equipment, or situational-obstacle
material) for a hasty defense. The infiltrating force bypasses obstacles and focuses on those enemy forces
that may interdict high-speed AAs and MSRs. Therefore, the clearance of MSRs commonly resembles
small-scale linkup operations and is planned and resourced accordingly. Breaching operations are common
during MSR clearance. The BCT may need to rely on EAB engineer augmentation assets to provide the
assets necessary to execute them.
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
6-69. Defensive operations are a prelude to the offense. Defense plans should not be designed simply to
resist enemy attack. Rather, they should aim at reverting to the offense and decisively defeating the enemy.
Defensive operations defeat an enemy attack, buy time, economize forces, or develop conditions favorable
for offensive operations. Engineer focus is on attacking the enemy’s ability to influence operating areas
(countermobility through combined arms obstacle integration) and on assuring mobility for friendly
repositioning or counterattacking forces.
6-70. Planning for defensive operations is inextricably linked to offensive operations, and for planning
purposes, must consider the transition from offensive operations to follow-on offensive operations. Many
planning considerations for the offense also apply to the defense. The engineer running estimate provides
the framework for synchronizing and integrating engineer support into defensive operations. (See chapter 2
for more planning considerations for defensive operations.)
11 February 2009 FM 3-34.22 6-15