text: Chapter 7
  rapid responses, commanders can mitigate risk by coordinating with joint enablers for close air support,
  tactical airdrops, information collection, communications relays, and personnel recovery forces.
  Border Considerations
  7-71. In a counterinsurgency environment, armed forces may be responsible for border security, and they
  may have to help other security forces with immigration, customs, and internal security operations. The
  specific threat level, however, may require combat-type border operations, particularly in remote areas. The
  threat level may require units or advisor teams to advise and assist host-nation forces assigned to prevent or
  interdict the infiltration of insurgent personnel and materiel across international boundaries. This method is
  a terrain-centric approach to combating an insurgency. The commander’s intent is to isolate insurgent
  forces from their external support and sanctuaries. Secondary purposes include locating and interdicting
  insurgent land infiltration routes, destroying insurgent forces and bases in areas adjacent to the border, and
  collecting and reporting information on insurgent capabilities and intentions. Border operations normally
  require restrictive control measures for populations and resources that are particularly annoying to tribal
  and ethnic border groups who do not recognize the international boundary. The host-nation government
  must make a continuing effort to physically and psychologically gain and maintain the loyalty of the
  affected population.
  7-72. Designated border forces may be composed of border police and guards and may include
  paramilitary forces and regular armed forces with supporting or direct responsibility for portions of the
  national border or key internal routes to access other regions. Border operations are planned, conducted,
  and supervised from the national level, to the regional level, and finally through commanders at the local
  level. Border task forces are tailored units designed to meet requirements in their assigned areas. They
  should contain sufficient sustainment warfighting function and sustainment elements to support civil
  authorities’ operations for extended periods.
  7-73. Tasks that may be performed in controlling the border include the following:
  * Security of populated areas.
  * Intelligence and counterintelligence operations.
  * Operation of authorized points of entry.
  * Refugee and internally displaced person control.
  * Enforcement of movement and travel restrictions.
  * Military information support operations.
  * Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.
  * Attacks against insurgent forces.
  * Destruction of insurgent base areas.
  * Barrier and denial operations.
  7-74. In a phase I insurgency, operations in border areas are normally a function of police, customs, and
  other government organizations. Armed and paramilitary forces may assist these organizations, particularly
  in remote areas. In phases II and III, denial of external support for the insurgency may require combat
  operations in border areas. These operations require close coordination and cooperation between the armed
  forces, paramilitary forces, and all government agencies involved. Attempts by insurgents to infiltrate can
  be mitigated through the use of biometrics to identify subversive activities and limit or disrupt insurgent
  mobility. (See paragraphs 4-70 through 4-75 for a discussion on the insurgency phases.)
  7-75. Physically sealing a border may not be possible, since it could require the commitment of more
  government forces and materiel than overall resources permit. Intelligence must be gathered by all means
  available to determine the locations and extent of insurgent activities in border areas.
  7-76. Commanders determine infiltration and exfiltration routes, support sites, frequency and volume of
  traffic, type of transportation, number and type of personnel, amount and type of materiel, terrain and
  traffic conditions, and the probable location of base areas and sanctuaries. Units conduct continuous and
  detailed surveillance of these areas. Since placing forces and barriers at all possible crossings or entry sites
  may be impossible, commanders establish priorities. Counterinsurgents use natural barriers wherever
  possible. Using patrols, sensors, and obstacles in selected areas increase the effectiveness of natural