text: FM 7-100.1________________________________________________________________________________
  Offense
  10-22. During the offense, engineer support of deception measures can
  include
  • Construction of decoys and deception positions.
  • Preparation of false routes to provide misleading indicators.
  Defense
  10-23. The OPFOR uses various deception measures to mislead the enemy
  about size and location of forces and weapon systems and about the nature of
  defensive engineer preparations. Engineer support of deception measures can
  include
  • Use of screening characteristics of terrain, darkness, and other con-
  ditions of limited visibility during engineer preparation of defensive
  positions and positioning of forces.
  • False actions to draw attention from actual defensive preparations.
  • Construction of artificial screens and concealment (such as horizontal
  and vertical screens, or corner reflectors).
  10-24. Sufficient engineer support is critical to the success of any defensive
  deception plan. Units in the main defense force receive the priority of effort.
  However, engineers typically do not begin work supporting deception until they
  have completed all measures required for camouflage, concealment, and cover.
  ENGINEER RECONNAISSANCE
  10-25. The specific missions of engineer reconnaissance are to—
  • Discover enemy engineer measures taken to fortify battle positions and
  to lay and clear minefields and demolitions.
  • Determine movement routes (by the conditions of roads, bridges, and
  fording sites).
  • Determine the characteristics of obstacles and locate bypass routes.
  • Determine water availability (or add more robust capability).
  • Observe enemy engineer activity.1
  • Determine requirements for special engineer equipment, allocation of
  engineer assets, and the subsequent task organizations of subordinate
  and supporting engineer units.
  • Report the locations of any enemy units encountered.
  • Advise the commander and staff on locations the enemy is likely to
  occupy, based on the presence of favorable conditions, such as accessi-
  bility, concealment, and water supply.
  1 The composition and disposition of enemy combat engineer units are important indicators of how and where the
  enemy expects to conduct his main offensive or defensive effort. Positioning of bridging and mineclearing assets
  may tip off planned enemy offensive action. When the enemy is preparing to defend, all obstacle-creating assets,
  such as minelayers, are of particular interest.