text: Chapter 8
  (cid:122) Conducting route reconnaissance to support the main supply routes and civilian lines of
  communications.
  (cid:122) Creating obstacles between opposing factions to prevent easy movement between their positions.
  8-151. The BCT employs roadblocks not only to restrict traffic for security purposes, but also to control the
  movement of critical cargo. Cargo could be generators designed to restore electric power in a large area or
  items that support the population and resources within the BCT’s area of operations.
  Occupy an Area
  8-152. Planning for the occupation of an area or relief in place begins before the BCT deploys or when
  being relieved, redeploys. Planning includes not only BCT forces and their activities, but also other
  governmental agencies, multinational partners, host-nation agencies, and potential international
  organizations. The mission variables of METT-TC determine the occupation or relief in place that occurs.
  Sometimes occupation, much like occupying an initial area of operations,is appropriate. This can occur when
  the BCT’s stability-focused area security operation occurs within limited intervention or peace operations. A
  relief in place may be appropriate during the conduct of an area defense (see chapter 7). However, a
  stability-focused area security transition by function may be more effective if the relief in place takes place
  withhost-nation military forces and civil authorities within the range of military operations. Some of these
  functions include medical and engineer services, local security, communications, and sustainment. BCT plans
  do not remove a provided capability from the area of operations until the replacement capability is operating.
  Surveillance Systems and Reconnaissance and Security Forces
  8-153. In restrictive (as well as unrestrictive) terrain, the commander relies on manned and unmanned
  surveillance systems and reconnaissance and security forces to collect information within the BCT’s area of
  operations. Operation of ground and aerial surveillance systems in restricted terrain is often affected by
  interrupted line-of-sight, and extreme climate and weather variations. In restrictive terrain, reconnaissance
  and security forces within the BCT’s area of operations focus on these areas to assist in collection when
  manned and unmanned surveillance capabilities are degraded. Using a combat outpost, a reinforced
  observation post capable of conducting limited combat operations, is a technique for employing
  reconnaissance and security forces in restrictive terrain that precludes mounted reconnaissance and security
  forces from covering the assigned area. While the mission variables of METT-TC determine the size,
  location, and number of combat outposts a unit establishes, a reinforced platoon typically occupies a combat
  outpost. (See chapter 7 and ATP 3-21.10 for additional information.) A combat outpost must have sufficient
  resources to accomplish its designated missions, such as conducting aggressive combat patrolling and
  reconnaissance patrolling. Combat outposts are established when observation posts (see chapter 5 for
  information on observation post activities) are threatened by insurgency or in danger of being attacked by
  enemy forces infiltrating into and through the BCT’s assignedarea of operations.
  Note. During the conduct of defensive-focused operations, the commander uses a combat outpost
  to extend the depth of the security area, to keep friendly forward observation posts in place until
  they can observe the enemy’s main body, or to secure friendly forward observation posts that will
  be encircled by enemy forces. Mounted and dismounted forces can employ combat outposts. (See
  chapter 7 for additional information.)
  Army Aviation
  8-154. Army aviation attack and reconnaissance units with manned and unmanned systems—when
  deployed early with initial response forces—can be a significant deterrent on the indigenous combatants,
  particularly if factions or insurgences are not yet organized during the initial response phase. Attack and
  reconnaissance helicopters may be employed to act as a response force against enemy threats. Along with
  unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), attack and reconnaissance helicopters may conduct reconnaissance,
  surveillance, or security over wide areas and provide the BCT a means for visual route reconnaissance and
  early warning. Utility helicopters provide an excellent command and control capability to support stability
  focused area security operations and to transport patrols or security elements throughout the BCT’s area of