text: Security Operations
  offensive actions. A covering force normally operates forward of the main body in the offense or defense, or
  to the rear for a retrograde operation. Unusual circumstances could dictate a flank covering force, but this is
  normally a screen or guard mission.
  Organization of a Covering Force
  13-103. Whether the cover is for a stationary (defending) or moving (attacking) force, the various types of
  cover missions, as well as knowledge of the terrain and enemy forces, dictate the specific task organization
  of the covering force. The covering force unit normally plans to conduct the cover mission as an area defense.
  The covering force also normally employs tactics associated with the conduct of a delay, a zone
  reconnaissance, and a movement to contact.
  13-104. Commanders normally assign subordinate units one of these missions or the mission of screen or
  guard. The covering force organizes and uses control measures associated with the before-mentioned
  missions. In addition, units establish control measures necessary for conducting the covering force’s passage
  of lines (forward and rearward).
  13-105. Corps normally build their covering force around a reinforced armored BCT or a division, although
  they can deploy any mobile force as their covering force. Both have the control structures necessary for the
  forces involved and the capability to cover the geographic area typically required in a cover security mission.
  Corps tailor these units to be self-contained by reinforcing them with assets such as joint fires, attack
  helicopters, field artillery, engineers, air defense, tanks, and infantry units with appropriate sustainment
  assets. They usually allocate additional artillery and engineer support to their covering force because it
  operates beyond support range of their main body. Covering force commanders normally maintain a sizable
  reserve to conduct counterattacks in the defense and to defeat enemy counterattacks in the offense.
  13-106. A division covering force is normally a reinforced BCT. It performs reconnaissance or other security
  missions. If the division assigned area is narrow enough, an adequately reinforced combined arms battalion,
  reconnaissance squadron, or Stryker battalion may perform a cover mission. At both corps and division
  echelons, the amount of reinforcement provided to the covering force determines the distance and time it can
  operate away from the main body. These reinforcements typically revert to their parent organizations once
  the covering mission is complete. BCTs and battalions typically organize a guard force instead of a covering
  force because their resources are limited.
  13-107. Since one task of the covering force is to deceive the enemy commander into thinking enemy forces
  have found the main body, commanders should supply the covering force with combat systems that are
  representative of the main body. For example, if the main body has organic or reinforcing systems (such as
  the M270 multiple launch rocket system) available to it, they should organize the covering force with the
  same systems.
  Offensive Cover
  13-108. An offensive covering force seizes the initiative early for the main body, allowing the main body to
  attack decisively. Figure 13-12 on page 13-26 shows an attacking main body with an advance covering force
  and a flank guard.