text: Offensive Considerations in Counterinsurgency
  and civilians within the ROE. Units may enter the area or zone by infiltrating as an entire unit and splitting
  or by infiltrating as smaller subordinate units via ground, air, or water (Figures 5-1 and 5-2).
  Figure 5-1. Infiltration by company. Figure 5-2. Infiltration by squad/platoon.
  Search the AO
  5-37. Reconnaissance elements search areas to locate the enemy without detection. This allows more
  time for leaders to plan and coordinate an attack. Generally, small units are used, since they move quickly
  and with more stealth among the population regardless of the AO. Once an element of the insurgency
  is discovered, the commander’s concept, intent, and the situation on the ground dictates whether the
  reconnaissance element follows the insurgent or fixes the insurgent until the attack force is in position.
  Specific tasks may include route, area, and zone reconnaissance or other surveillance tasks.
  Locate Enemy
  5-38. Reconnaissance units must locate insurgent forces, tracks, or other indicators of direction
  or location. In rural and some border operations, well-trained trackers can identify and follow insurgent
  tracks that are hours or even days old. Units tracking the insurgent must be prepared to react to insurgent
  contact and avoid likely ambush situations. Leaders must ensure support for the reconnaissance force if it
  is compromised. In urban areas, tracking the insurgent is more difficult due to the nature of the terrain
  and the insurgent’s use of the population. Leaders rely on HUMINT, a thorough knowledge of their AO,
  UAS, attack reconnaissance aviation, and sound communication and coordination with adjacent units
  to find the elusive insurgent.
  Conduct the Attack
  5-39. The attack in a search and attack has four elements:
  Concentrate Combat Power
  5-40. Once the insurgent is discovered, the plan must support the rapid concentration of combat power
  to fix and destroy the insurgent. Leaders at each echelon must plan to destroy the insurgent within their
  capabilities, or at least fix the insurgent.
  Fix the Enemy
  5-41. If the insurgent cannot be destroyed by the forces on hand, then the forces must fix the insurgent
  until finishing forces arrive. Fixing forces block egress routes with indirect fires, maneuver forces,
  obstacles or all three. They also suppress the insurgent’s weapons systems, obscure his vision, and disrupt
  his command and control. Specific tasks may include establishing a blocking position, an ambush, or a
  support by fire position.