text: Defense
  enabling forces into the defensive scheme of maneuver through rehearsals. (Seechapter 4,section II of this
  manual and FM 6-0 for additional information.)
  EXECUTING AN AREA DEFENSE
  7-162. In an area defense, the BCT concentrates combat power effects against attempted enemy
  breakthroughs and flanking movements from prepared and protected positions. The commander uses the
  reserve to cover gaps between defensive positions, to reinforce those positions as necessary, and to
  counterattack to seal penetrations or block enemy attempts at flanking movements. For discussion purposes,
  the following paragraphs divide execution of an area defense into a five-step sequence:
  Step 1,Gain and Maintain Enemy Contact
  7-163. Gaining and maintaining contact with the enemy is vital to the success of the defense. As the enemy’s
  attack begins, the BCT’s initial goals are to identify committed enemy units’ positions and capabilities,
  determine the enemy’s intent and direction of attack, and gain time to react. Initially, the commander
  accomplishes these goals in the security area. The sources of this type of information include reconnaissance
  and security forces,surveillance assets,intelligence operations,and supporting echelons above the BCT. The
  commander ensures the distribution of a COP throughout the BCT during the battle to form a shared basis
  for subordinate commanders’ actions. The commander uses available information, in conjunction with
  judgment,to determine the point at which the enemy is committed to a COA.
  Step 2,Disrupt the Enemy
  7-164. The commander executes shaping operations to disrupt the enemy. After making contact with the
  enemy, the commander seeks to disrupt the enemy’s plan and ability to control its forces. Ideally, the
  commander’s shaping operations result in a disorganized enemy force conducting a movement to contact
  against a prepared defense. Once the process of disrupting the enemy begins, it continues throughout the
  defense. An enemy airborne assault or air assaultin the BCT area of operations must be attacked immediately
  with available ground forces and fires before the enemy airhead can be organized and reinforced. The BCT
  uses indirect fires, close air support, Army aviation attacks, and other available fires and nonlethal effects
  during this phase of the battle to—
  (cid:122) Support the security force.
  (cid:122) Disrupt or limit the momentum of the enemy’s attack.
  (cid:122) Destroy HPTs.
  (cid:122) Divert the enemy’s attack.
  (cid:122) Deceive the enemy’s knowledge of the BCT’sMBA.
  (cid:122) Reduce the enemy’s combat power.
  (cid:122) Separate enemy formations.
  Step 3,Fix the Enemy
  7-165. The commander has several options to fix an attacking enemy force. The commander can design
  shaping operations,such as securing the flanks and point of penetration,to fix the enemy and allow friendly
  forces to execute decisive maneuver elsewhere. Combat outposts and strong points can deny enemy
  movement to or through a given location and as to the exact location of the BCT’sMBA. A properly executed
  deception operation can constrain the enemy to a given COA.
  Step 4,Maneuver
  7-166. The decisive operation occurs in the MBA. This is where the effects of shaping operations,coupled
  with sustaining operations, combine with the decisive operation of the MBA force defeat the enemy. The
  commander’s goal is to prevent the enemy’s further advance using a combination of fires from prepared
  positions,obstacles and reserve forces. To accomplish this,the commander masses effects by maneuvering
  forces to focus direct and indirect fires at a critical point to counter the enemy’s attack.