text: Support to Large-Scale Ground Combat
  Engineer Reconnaissance
  Reconnaissance is vital to verify the accuracy of the assessment. Detailed information on existing
  (natural or cultural) and reinforcing obstacles identifies obstacle limits. It also determines whether a bypass
  or an in-stride breach is an option. Engineers identify specific reconnaissance requirements and augment
  patrols and scouts to identify obstacle characteristics. The maneuver unit must integrate engineer
  reconnaissance into the reconnaissance plan. Because engineer reconnaissance teams are ad hoc formations
  for engineers, commanders must understand the risk involved in creating them from organic resources and
  the drain it creates on platoons and squads. Data gathered by an engineer reconnaissance team should be
  transferred to the echelon intelligence section. The geospatial engineering team updates data, extracts data,
  and updates the TGD as directed.
  During the attack, engineer reconnaissance teams and engineer units provide continuous assessments
  of the friendly axis of advance and make recommendations on the use and repair of key routes. They pay
  special attention to the main supply routes, bypassed obstacles, and engineer materials in their assigned areas
  of operations.
  Engineer support to the offense occurs throughout the AO. Engineers provide continuous and
  coordinated support to close, consolidation, and support areas. Engineers recommend obstacles, such as
  scatterable minefields, that shape the friendly scheme of maneuver. Geospatial engineers provide terrain
  visualization products that aid in identifying locations at which friendly forces can affect enemy
  reinforcements and employ obstacles. Engineer reconnaissance identifies areas limiting friendly force
  mobility and areas requiring additional engineer effort.
  Support to Offensive Operations
  Engineers support offensive operations by enabling movement and maneuver. The division engineer
  ensures that subordinate BCTs conducting offensive operations are task-organized with additional combat
  engineering capabilities to enable the maneuver commander’s freedom of action. The division engineer
  recommends sustainable command and support relationships for elements augmenting the BCT, which
  allows the gaining commander the maximum flexibility to employ assets.
  Engineer support to the offense considers tasks when task-organizing additional engineers. The
  primary offensive operations are—
  * Movement to contact.
  * Attack.
  * Exploitation.
  * Pursuit.
  Note. See FM 3-90-1 for more information on Army offensive operations. See ATP 3-90.4 for
  more information on combined arms mobility. Table 4-1 provides a summary of engineer
  considerations for each type of offensive operation.
  Table 4-1. Engineer considerations in the offense
  Offensive
  Engineer Consideration
  Operations
  Movement to • Priority for combat engineer support is typically on mobility, although it may
  contact rapidly shift to countermobility in anticipation of an enemy counterattack.
  • The task organization of engineers must balance task-organizing mobility
  capabilities with the lead element to optimize response time and tempo
  without increasing risk to the mobility of the main body or limiting the ability
  to mass breaching assets against complex obstacles.