text: Fire Support and the Operations Process
  * Degrade is to reduce the effectiveness or efficiency of a threat. Strategic effect terms, the standard
  dictionary definition applies.
  * Delay is when a force under pressure trades space for time by slowing down the enemy's
  momentum and inflicting maximum damage on enemy forces without becoming decisively
  engaged (ADP 3-90). When enemy forces are delayed, friendly forces gain time. For delay to have
  a major impact the enemy must face urgent movement requirements, or the delay must enhance
  the effect(s) of friendly operations. When delayed enemy forces mass behind a damaged route
  segment a more concentrated set of targets and a longer period of exposure to friendly fires results.
  * Deny is task to hinder or prevent the enemy from using terrain, space, personnel, supplies, or
  facilities (ATP 3-21.20). An example of deny is to destroy the threats communications equipment
  as a means of denying his use of the EMS; however, the duration of denial will depend on the
  enemy's ability to reconstitute. Denial operations are actions to hinder or deny the enemy the use
  of terrain, supplies, or facilities (FM 3-90).
  * Destroy is a tactical mission task that physically renders an enemy force combat-ineffective until
  reconstituted (FM 3-90). Alternatively, to destroy a combat system is to damage it so badly that it
  cannot perform any function or be restored to a usable condition without being entirely rebuilt.
  * Destruction in the context of the computed effects of field artillery fires, destruction renders
  a target out of action permanently, or ineffective for a long period of time, producing 30-
  percent casualties or materiel damage.
  * Destruction fire is an element of the method of engagement portion of the call for fire requesting
  destruction fire; delivered for the sole purpose of destroying materiel (TC 3-09.81).
  * Disrupt 1. A tactical mission task in which a unit upsets an enemy’s formation or tempo and causes
  the enemy force to attack prematurely or in a piecemeal fashion. 2. An obstacle effect that focuses
  fire planning and obstacle effort to cause the enemy to break up its formation and tempo, interrupt
  its timetable, commit breaching assets prematurely, and attack in a piecemeal effort (FM 3-90).
  * Diversion is the act of drawing the attention and forces of an enemy from the point of the
  principal operation; an attack, alarm, or feint that diverts attention. Diversion causes enemy
  forces to consume resources or capabilities critical to enemy operations in a way that is
  advantageous to friendly operations. Diversions draw the attention of enemy forces away from
  critical friendly operations and prevent enemy forces and their support resources from being
  employed for their intended purpose. Diversions can also cause more circuitous routing along lines
  of communication, resulting in delays for enemy forces. An option for FA employment in support
  of a commander's diversion is to use high explosives (HE) fires to encourage an enemy to adopt a
  different route.
  * Interdiction is an action to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy's military surface capability
  before it can be used effectively against friendly forces or otherwise be used to achieve enemy
  objectives (JP 3-03).
  * Interdiction fires are employed to disrupt, delay, or destroy enemy forces. Interdiction fires
  create windows for friendly unit movement and maneuver.
  * Isolate is to separate a force from its sources of support in order to reduce its effectiveness and
  increase its vulnerability to defeat (ADP 3-0).
  * Neutralization in the context of the computed effects of field artillery fires renders a target
  ineffective for a short period of time, producing 10-percent casualties or materiel damage.
  * Neutralization fire is fire delivered to render the target ineffective or unusable.
  * Neutralize is a tactical mission task in which a unit renders the enemy incapable of interfering
  with an operation (FM 3-90). A tactical mission task that results in rendering enemy personnel or
  materiel incapable of interfering with a particular operation (FM 3-90).
  * Preparation fire is a brief, intense bombardment on selected targets or a prolonged effort
  over time covering a large number of targets. Commanders must be clear on what they hope to
  achieve by this sort of fire. The effectiveness of preparation fire varies with each situation; and its
  feasibility depends on such factors as surprise, deployment, ammunition supply, and type of
  weapons available. Preparation fire is planned by the commander planning the attack. Normally,
  fire begins before H-hour and may extend beyond it.