text: Offensive Considerations in Counterinsurgency
  Mission
  5-21. Leaders determine whether the search and attack is enemy or terrain-oriented. If enemy-oriented,
  the search and attack should attack the enemy while inflicting minimal damage to the population,
  infrastructure, and local economy. If terrain-oriented, the search and attack must be prepared to locate base
  camps, caches, safe houses, or subterranean structures.
  Time Available
  5-22. The size of the area, especially the interior layout of urban buildings, impacts force size
  and search time.
  PHASES
  5-23. A search and attack has three basic phases: organize, plan, and execute.
  Organize
  5-24. The commander task-organizes his unit into reconnaissance, fixing, and finishing forces, each
  with a specific purpose and task. The size of the reconnaissance force is based on the available intelligence
  about the size of insurgent forces in the AO. The less known about the situation, the larger the
  reconnaissance force. The reconnaissance force typically consists of scout, infantry, aviation,
  and electronic warfare assets. The fixing force must have enough combat power to isolate insurgents once
  the reconnaissance force finds them. The finishing force must have enough combat power to defeat
  insurgents. The commander can direct each subordinate unit to retain a finishing force, or he can retain the
  finishing force at his echelon. The commander may rotate his subordinate elements through the
  reconnaissance, fixing, and finishing roles. However, rotating roles may require a change in task
  organization and additional time for training and rehearsal.
  Reconnaissance Force
  5-25. The reconnaissance force finds the enemy force using all means available. It can serve as an
  element of the fixing force or follow and assume the role of the attack force if sufficiently resourced. If the
  reconnaissance element makes contact without being detected by the insurgent, the commander has the
  initiative. In COIN, HN security forces are often the best suited to conduct the reconnaissance, if they have
  the training, equipment, and capability.
  Fixing Force
  5-26. Although sometimes included in the reconnaissance force in COIN, the fixing force develops the
  situation, and then 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 insurgent can use to escape or use
  for reinforcements. The second option is to conduct an attack to fix the insurgent in his current positions
  until the finishing force arrives. The fixing force attacks if that action meets the commander's intent and it
  can generate sufficient combat power against the insurgents. Depending on the insurgent's mobility and the
  likelihood of the reconnaissance force being compromised, the commander may need to position his fixing
  force before his reconnaissance force enters the AO.
  Finishing Force
  5-27. The finishing force must possess and maintain sufficient combat power to defeat the insurgent
  templated. The finishing force may move behind the reconnaissance and fixing force or it may locate
  where it is best prepared to rapidly maneuver on the insurgent’s location, by foot, vehicle, or air. The
  finishing force must be responsive enough to engage the insurgent before he can break contact with the
  reconnaissance force. The finishing force destroys or captures the insurgent by conducting hasty
  or deliberate attacks, or employing indirect fire, attack reconnaissance aviation, or close air support
  to destroy the insurgent. The commander may direct the finishing force to establish an area ambush and use
  his reconnaissance and fixing forces to drive the insurgent into the ambushes.