text: Stability
  (cid:122) Establishing stand-to times. (Unit standard operating procedures [SOPs] detail activities during
  the conduct of stand-to.)
  LOCAL SECURITY
  8-126. Local security is the low-level security activities conducted near a unit to prevent surprise by the
  enemy (ADP 3-90). Area security activities take advantage of the local security measures performed by all
  units (regardless of their location) in an area of operations, and all local security activities should be linked
  to the broader area security activities. Local security is closely associated with unit protection efforts (see
  ADP 3-37). Local securityincludes local measures that prevent or interdict enemy efforts. Local security is
  an enduring priority of work, is essential to maintaining initiative, and prevents units from being surprised.
  Local security involves avoiding detection and deceiving the enemy about friendly actions, positions, and
  intentions. Local security includes finding any enemy forces in the immediate vicinity and knowing as much
  about their positions and intentions as possible.
  8-127. Local security can be part of the sustaining base or part of the area infrastructure. Local security
  protection ranges from echelon headquarters to reserve and sustainment forces using active and passive
  measures to provide local security. Active patrolling, unit SOPs, and continuous reconnaissance are active
  measures that help provide local security. Passive measures include using camouflage, movement control,
  noise and light discipline, proper communications procedures, ground sensors, night vision devices, and
  daylight sights.
  ECONOMY-OF-FORCEMISSIONS
  8-128. The BCT, charged with execution, conducts an area security operation as an economy-of-force
  mission. Area security missions are numerous, complex, and generally never ending. For this reason, the
  commander and staff synchronize and integrate security efforts, focusing on protected forces, installations,
  routes, and actions within the BCT’s assigned area of operations. Protected forces within the BCT range from
  subordinate units and elements, echeloned command posts (CPs), and sustainment elements within the BCT’s
  support area or consolidation area (when established). Protected installations can be part of the sustainment
  base, or they can constitute part of the area’s civilian infrastructure within a consolidation area. Protected
  ground lines of communication include the route network to support the numbers, sizes, and weights of
  tactical and support area movement within the BCT’s area of operations, for example a consolidation area.
  Actions range from securing key points (bridges and defiles) and terrain features (ridgelines and hills) to
  large civilian population centers and their adjacent areas.
  OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE ACTIVITIES
  8-129. During the conduct of stability-focused tasks, area security missions are a mixture of offensive and
  defensive activities involving not only subordinate battalions, companies, and platoons, but also those
  host-nation security forces over which the BCT has a command relationship such as operational control
  (OPCON), or can otherwise influence. Offensive area security activities include subordinate tasks of
  movement to contact [search and attack (see ATP 3-21.20 and ATP 3-21.10) or cordon and search (see
  ATP3-21.20 and ATP3-21.10) missions] and combat patrols (see ATP 3-21.8), when required, designed to
  ambush detected enemy forces or to conduct raids within the BCT’s area of operations. Defensive area
  security activities include the establishment of base perimeter security (see ATP 3-21.20, appendix I); combat
  outposts and observation posts (see ATP 3-21.20); moving and stationary screen and guard missions, and
  reconnaissance and counterreconnaissance missions (see ATP 3-20.96 and ATP 3-20.97).
  8-130. During offensive or defensive-focused tasks, area security operations are often designed to ensure
  the continued conduct of sustainment operations to support decisive and shaping operations by generating
  and maintaining combat power. Area security operations may be the predominant method of protecting
  support areas that are necessary to facilitate the positioning, employment, and protection of resources
  required to sustain, enable, and control forces. (See chapter 9for additional information.)