text: Stability
  (cid:122) Rules of engagement are often more restrictive than in combat operations; commander’s guidance
  for fires requires careful consideration during development and wide dissemination to all levels.
  (cid:122) Precision-guided munitions or employment of nonlethal capabilities may be necessary to limit
  collateral damage.
  (cid:122) Fires that may be used to demonstrate capabilities, as a demonstration (see chapter 6), or during a
  denial operation (see chapter 7).
  Note. Mortars at the BCT and below, due to their smaller bursting radius, reduce collateral
  damage. Mortars are generally more responsive to the small-unit operations common to area
  security missions. In addition to lethal fires, mortars may provide illumination to demonstrate
  deterrent capability, observe contested areas, or support area security missions (including
  patrolling [reconnaissance and combat]).
  Application of Lethal and Nonlethal Capabilities
  8-172. Though highly effective for their intended purpose, lethal capabilities may not always be suitable.
  For example, during stability-focused tasks, the application of lethal fires is normally greatly restricted,
  making the use of nonlethal capabilities the dominant feasible option. The considerations for use of nonlethal
  capabilities in targeting should not pertain to only specific phases or missions but should be integrated
  throughout the area of operations. Escalation of force measures can be established in order to identify hostile
  intent and deter potential threats at checkpoints, entry control points and in convoys. Such measures remain
  distinct from other use of force guidance such as fire support coordination measures and are intended to
  protect the force, minimize the use of force against civilians while not interfering with self-defense if attacked
  by adversaries. One of the primary mechanisms for employing nonlethal capabilities and generating nonlethal
  effects is information operations. Participating in the targeting process, information operations synchronizes
  a range of nonlethal capabilities to produce nonlethal effects that advance the desired end state. Thus,
  information operations participate in the targeting process.
  Fire Support Coordination Measures
  8-173. As during offensive-and defensive-focused tasks, fire support coordination measures are established
  for stability-focused tasks to facilitate the attack of high-payoff targets (HPTs) throughout the area of
  operations. Restrictive fire support coordination measures are those that provide safeguards for friendly
  forces and noncombatants, facilities, or terrain. For example, no-fire area, restrictive fire areas, restricted
  target lists, restrictive fire lines, and fire support coordination lines may be used not only to protect forces,
  but also to protect populations, critical infrastructure, and sites of religious or cultural significance.
  Regardless of which element of decisive action currently dominates, coordination measures are required to
  coordinate ongoing activities to create desiredeffects and avoid undesired effects.
  Note.Fire support coordination, planning, and clearance demands special arrangements with joint
  and multinational forces and local authorities. These arrangements include communications and
  language requirements, liaison personnel, and procedures focused on interoperability. The North
  Atlantic Treaty Organization standardization agreements provide excellent examples of
  coordinated fire support arrangements. These arrangements provide participants with common
  terminology and procedures.
  SUSTAINMENT
  8-174. The BCT commander’s responsibilities during area security include support areas and extend to
  self-protection of BCT assets operating outside of the BCT echelon support areas. Forces engaged in area
  security operations protect the force, installation, route, area, or asset. 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 echelon support areas that are necessary to facilitate the positioning, employment, and