text: Movement to Contact
  fires rapidly, command posts and small-unit commanders track and report the locations of all subordinate
  elements. Because of the uncertain enemy situation, units assign clear fire support relationships.
  Executing a Search and Attack
  4-58. Each subordinate element operating in its own assigned area searches for and attacks enemy forces
  within its capability. Units may enter an assigned area by infiltrating as an entire unit and then splitting out
  or by infiltrating as smaller units via ground, air, or water. Units should use previously established control
  measures and communications means between any closing elements to prevent fratricide and friendly fire
  incidents. The reconnaissance force conducts an area reconnaissance to reconnoiter identified named areas
  of interests.
  4-59. Once the reconnaissance force finds enemy forces, the fixing force develops the situation and executes
  one of two options based on the commander’s guidance and the mission variables. The first option is to block
  identified routes that the detected enemy forces can use to escape or employ reinforcements. The fixing force
  maintains contact with enemy forces and positions to isolate and fix enemy forces before the finishing force
  attacks. The second option is to conduct an attack to fix enemy forces in their current positions until the
  finishing force arrives. The fixing force attacks if it meets the commander’s intent and if it can generate
  sufficient combat power against detected enemy forces. Units may need to position the fixing force before
  the reconnaissance force enters an assigned area, depending on the enemy force’s mobility and the probability
  of the compromise of the reconnaissance force.
  4-60. BCTs (and possibly battalions) may establish fire support bases to provide fire support coverage
  throughout an assigned area during search and attack operations in complex terrain. These positions should
  be mutually supporting and prepared for all around defense. Fire support bases are also located in positions
  that facilitate aerial resupply. The development of these positions depends on the mission variables because
  their establishment requires diverting combat power to protect assets in these fire support bases.
  4-61. If conditions are not right to use the finishing force or main body to attack detected enemy forces, the
  reconnaissance or the fixing force can continue to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance activities to
  develop the situation further. Whenever this occurs, the force maintaining surveillance must be careful to
  avoid detection and possible enemy ambushes.
  4-62. The finishing force or main body may move behind the reconnaissance and fixing forces, or it may
  locate at a pickup zone and conduct air assault movement into a landing zone near enemy forces, once enemy
  forces are located. The finishing force or main body must be responsive enough to engage enemy forces
  before they can break contact with the reconnaissance force or the fixing force. The echelon intelligence
  officer provides the commander with an estimate of the time it takes enemy forces to displace from their
  locations. The commander provides additional mobility assets, so the finishing force or main body can
  respond within that timeframe.
  4-63. Units use their finishing force or main body to destroy detected and fixed enemy forces during a search
  and attack by conducting hasty or deliberate attacks. One unit maneuvers to block enemy escape routes while
  another unit conducts the attack, or units employ indirect fire or close air support to destroy enemy forces.
  Units may have the finishing force or main body establish area ambushes and use the reconnaissance and
  fixing forces to drive enemy forces into the ambushes.
  CORDON AND SEARCH
  4-64. The second variation to conduct a movement to contact is cordon and search. Cordon and search is a
  variation of movement to contact where a friendly force isolates and searches a target area. Typically,
  units execute cordon and searches to capture or destroy possible enemy forces and contraband. Cordon and
  search operations take place throughout the range of military operations. Generally, cordon and search are
  conducted during stability operations or situations where the likelihood of large-scale organized violence is
  unlikely. Units conducting a cordon and search organize their subordinate units into four elements—
  command, security, search or assault, and support. The security element must be large enough to establish
  both an inner and an outer cordon around the target area of the search. In that regard, cordon and search
  operations are similar to encirclements. Maneuver battalions and lower echelons normally conduct cordons
  and searches.