text: Chapter 8
  Hostile Environment
  8-167. In a hostile environment, three concerns for HUMINT collection are access to the sources of
  information, timeliness of reporting, and security for the HUMINT collectors. A hostile environment requires
  significant resource commitments to conduct controlled source operations. Prior to the entry of a force into
  a hostile area, HUMINT collectors may be used to debrief civilians, particularly dislocated civilians, and to
  interrogate other detainees who have been in the area. HUMINT collection teams are normally located with
  the friendly units to facilitate timely collection and reporting. HUMINT collectors accompany the BCT lead
  elements or ground reconnaissance and security forces during operations. They interrogate detainees and
  debrief dislocated civilians and friendly force patrols.
  Security Missions
  8-168. Due to the possibility of tying forces to fixed installations or sites, security missions may become
  defensive in nature. When this occurs the BCT commander carefully balances with the need for offensive
  action. Early warning of enemy activity through information collection is paramount in the conduct of area
  security missions to provide the commander with time to react to any threat or other type change identified
  within the stability environment. The BCT’s IPB identifies the factors effecting security missions within the
  assigned area of operations. Factors, although not inclusive, include—
  (cid:122) The natural defensive characteristics of the terrain.
  (cid:122) The existing roads and waterways for military lines of communication and civilian commerce.
  (cid:122) The control of land and water areas and avenues of approach surrounding the area security.
  (cid:122) The airspace management.
  (cid:122) The proximity to critical sites such as airfields, power generation plants, and civic buildings.
  FIRES
  8-169. The conduct of fires in support of stability-focused tasks is essentially the same as for offensive-and
  defensive-focused tasks. However, constraint is vital in the conduct of fires during stability-focused tasks.
  Such constraint typically concerns the munitions employed and the targets engaged to obtain desired effects.
  Constraint increases the legitimacy of the organization that uses it while potentially damaging the legitimacy
  of an opponent.
  Employment of Fires
  8-170. Employment of fires provides continuous deterrents to hostile action and are a destructive force
  multiplier for the commander, regardless of which element of decisive action currently dominates. Within
  stability-focused tasks, the planning and delivering of fires precludes fires on protected targets, unwanted
  collateral damage, and the political ramifications of perceived excessive fire. In addition to lethal effects, the
  targeting functions ofthe BCT fire support cell includes nonlethal effects input to the information collection
  plan and the targeting working groups at the division and BCT headquarters (see chapter 4 for targeting
  functions within the BCT fire support cell).
  8-171. During the employment of fires, the commander having the ability to employ a weapon does not
  mean it should be employed. In addition to collateral damage considerations, the employment of fires could
  have second and third order negative effects. Collateral damage could adversely affect efforts to gain or
  maintain legitimacy and impede the attainment of both short-and long-term goals. For example, excessive
  force can antagonize those friendly and neutral parties involved. The use of nonlethal capabilities should be
  considered to fill the gap between verbal warnings and deadly force to avoid unnecessarily raising the level
  of conflict. Key considerations for employment of fires in support of stability-focused tasks include—
  (cid:122) Stability-focused tasks conducted in noncontiguous areas of operation complicate the use of fire
  support coordination measures, the ability to mass and shift fires, and clearance of fires
  procedures.
  (cid:122) Key terrain may be based more on political, cultural or social considerations than physical features
  of the landscape; fires may be used more frequently to defend key sites than to seize them.