text: Chapter 9
  is the decisive operation. Examples of stability tasks include manning, equipping, and training the
  host-nation security forces, establishing local governance functions, and establishing culturally appropriate
  rule of law systems within the host nation’s plan. Examples of some defensive tasks during the hold include
  counter cache operations, area denial, combined security at fixed sites, block infiltration routes,
  countermobility, and securing the population. Counterinsurgents must execute offensive tasks to attack the
  insurgency’s underground and auxiliaries. Examples of offensive operations in the hold include raids
  against insurgent leaders, ambushes, and disruption operations to impact support structures and local
  sanctuaries. The amount and scope of stability tasks and operations increase during the hold.
  9-29. Security operations to achieve the hold are dominated by developing the host-nation security forces
  and then transitioning security responsibilities to them. Examples of security focus during the hold
  include—
  * Reform of local security institutions—reestablish military and police forces which may include
  the entire rebuilding of the enduring institution including recruiting, educating, training,
  manning, equipping, sustaining and leader development for the Army, police, rule of law,
  detention capacity, and court systems.
  * Develop the host-nation military to provide security and external defense of the nation; develop
  the capacity to become self-sufficient in the development and conduct of their own enduring
  training programs at individual and collective levels.
  9-30. Counterinsurgents conduct information operations to achieve the hold as well, but the focus and
  message changes as conditions improve. The focus for information operations during the hold is on the
  remaining underground and auxiliary, the host-nation population, the host-nation security forces, and
  host-nation governance institutions. Counterinsurgent information operations should facilitate operations
  that improve the perception of security among the population, legitimize the host-nation security forces,
  dissuade the underground and auxiliaries from continuing insurgent activities, and promote effective
  host-nation governance solutions. During the hold, it is critical that the host nation becomes an integral part
  of information operations.
  BUILD
  9-31. When the conditions in an operational environment allow the host-nation security forces to take lead
  responsibility for security, counterinsurgents transition to the build. The build comprises carrying out
  programs designed to remove the conditions that allow the insurgency to exist, specifically addressing the
  root causes, tying inhabitants to host-nation security institutions, governing and rule of law, and
  strengthening the host nation’s ability to provide legitimate and effective governance. Stability tasks
  predominately build, with many important activities being conducted by nonmilitary agencies. Progress in
  building support for the host-nation government requires protecting the local population. People who do not
  believe they are secure from insurgent intimidation, coercion, and reprisals do not risk overtly supporting
  host-nation efforts.
  9-32. Counterinsurgents execute offense, defense, and stability tasks in the build as well. The priority for
  tasks and operations during the build is on the stability tasks. The line of effort that addresses increasing the
  host-nation government capacity becomes the decisive operation during the build. Examples of stability
  tasks in the build include advising and assisting the host-nation security forces, developing professional
  development programs (including professional education) for host-nation security and governance
  individuals, facilitating host-nation governance activities, support to local and national demilitarization,
  demobilization, and reintegration programs, and development of host-nation rule of law and conflict
  resolution mechanisms. However, U.S. forces execute offensive operations during the build. Examples of
  offensive operations in the build include providing a quick reaction force for the host-nation security
  forces, conducting tactical overwatch for specific host-nation security forces operations, conducting follow
  and assume or follow and support for host-nation security forces operations, or conducting precision strike
  operations in support of host-nation or U.S. objectives. Counterinsurgents execute defensive operations and
  tasks as well, to include protecting the population, combined action with the host-nation security forces to
  secure combined positions, and sanctuary denial and disruption operations.
  9-33. U.S. counterinsurgents conduct information operations as part of the build in support of host-nation
  programs. The focus of information operations during the build is on the host-nation population, the