text: Security Operations
  * Locate gaps or weaknesses in the enemy’s defensive scheme.
  * Defeat or repel enemy forces as directed by the higher commander.
  * Fix enemy forces to allow the main body to maneuver around enemy strengths or through enemy
  weaknesses.
  13-110. If the mission turns into a meeting engagement—
  * Destroy enemy reconnaissance and lead elements of the main body.
  * Determine the location of enemy assailable flanks.
  * Fix enemy forces to allow the main body to maneuver around enemy strengths or through
  weaknesses.
  13-111. Planning for offensive covering force operations is similar to planning for zone reconnaissance or
  movement to contact. Mission analysis using the products of the IPB process helps determine the width of
  the area to cover and areas (NAIs and TAIs) or routes of special importance. Commanders determine specific
  missions for subordinate elements and assign boundaries. The covering force retains a reserve that is ready
  to deploy anywhere in the covering force area. This reserve may be centrally located; the commander
  typically locates it on the most dangerous or critical avenue of approach in the security area.
  13-112. The covering force advances on a broad front, normally with its subordinate ground maneuver
  elements abreast (except for the reserve). This force clears the enemy’s disruption zone of small combat
  elements while penetrating the enemy force’s main defenses. Attack reconnaissance aircraft normally
  reconnoiter forward of advancing ground covering force elements. On enemy contact, the attack
  reconnaissance aircrews report the enemy force’s location to the appropriate ground unit and maintain
  contact. Once attack reconnaissance aircraft make contact, the covering force rapidly develops the situation.
  It reports enemy dispositions immediately to the main body, so that the main body can exploit enemy
  weaknesses. The covering force fixes encountered enemy forces and destroys them. The covering force does
  not bypass enemy forces without the guidance of the main body commander.
  13-113. If the covering force discovers a gap in the enemy force’s defenses, it prepares to exploit the gap
  and disrupt the integrity of that defense. The covering force immediately reports this to the main body, so the
  main body commander can divert main body follow-on forces to support the penetration. The main body
  synchronizes the covering force’s penetration with the other arriving maneuver units, functional and
  multifunctional support units, and sustainment units to prevent counterattacking enemy forces from isolating
  and destroying the penetrating elements of the covering force.
  13-114. When the covering force cannot advance, it defends and prepares to assist the forward passage of
  lines of main body units. It continues to perform reconnaissance of enemy positions to locate gaps or
  assailable flanks. The covering force may guide main body units as they attack through or around the covering
  force. If the covering force has accomplished its mission, the main body attacks the enemy’s weak point with
  previously uncommitted main body forces at the appropriate time.
  Flank Cover
  13-115. When the main body commander perceives a significant threat to a flank, the main body normally
  establishes a flank covering force. That force conducts its mission in much the same way as a flank guard
  performs its mission. The main differences between the two missions are the scope of operations and the
  distance the covering force operates away from the main body.
  13-116. Flank covering forces clear the area between their route of advance and their main body just as flank
  guards do. They also maintain contact with specified main body elements. These elements are normally part
  of the advance guard for the flank unit of the main body.
  Defensive Cover
  13-117. A defensive covering force prevents enemy forces from attacking at the time, place, and combat
  strength of their choosing. Defensive cover gains time for the main body, enabling it to deploy, move, or
  prepare defenses in the MBA. It accomplishes this by disrupting the enemy force’s attack, contesting the
  enemy’s possession of the initiative, and establishing the conditions for friendly operations. The covering