text: Army Aviation Operations
  GUARD
  3-109. Guard is a security task to protect the main body by fighting to gain time while also observing and
  reporting information and preventing enemy ground observation of and direct fire against the main body.
  Units conducting a guard mission cannot operate independently because they rely upon fires and functional
  and multifunctional support assets of the main body (ADP 3-90). A guard differs in that it is a more robust
  security force with increased combat power, is expected to engage the enemy force, and is expected to
  avoid decisive engagement. Army Aviation can support the ground maneuver units conducting guard
  operations, but they cannot conduct guard missions autonomously unless an ABTF or CAB is task-
  organized with adequate ground maneuver forces. Army Aviation conducts the full range of tactical,
  enabling, and sustaining. tasks when supporting or conducting a guard, including attack, reconnaissance,
  movement to contact, screen, air assault, air movement, aerial C2, and AE or aerial CASEVAC.
  COVER
  3-110. Cover is a security task to protect the main body by fighting to gain time while also observing and
  reporting information and preventing enemy ground observation of and direct fire against the main body
  (ADP 3-90). Aviation forces can be task-organized to a BCT or larger element assigned a covering force
  mission. Army Aviation conducts full-range aviation functions in support of the combined arms team
  assigned to conduct cover, including attack, reconnaissance movement to contact, screen, air assault, air
  movement, C2 support and AE or aerial CASEVAC.
  FUNDAMENTALS OF SECURITY
  3-111. When planning and executing security operations, application of the following five fundamentals
  informs the operations process and drives execution of successful security missions.
  3-112. Provide early and accurate warning. Army Aviation provides depth to the security operation by
  employing sensors and long-range observation techniques to detect enemy forces and provide early and
  accurate warning. Early warning of threat activity should include a description of size, current disposition,
  composition, location, direction of movement, and rate of advance to assist the staff in answering PIRs. The
  distance the aviation security force operates from the main body is determined by mission variables; at a
  minimum, it should operate far enough from the main body to prevent enemy forces from engaging or
  observing the protected force. The earlier the aviation security force detects a threat, the greater the time the
  protected force has to react. The use of UAS well forward of the screen line provides the security force
  with additional early warning and reaction time to maneuver to further develop the situation. If the screen is
  established at the LOA and the LOA is a forward unit boundary, coordination with the higher headquarters
  is required if UAS are to operate forward to provide increased early warning and reaction time.
  3-113. Provide reaction time and maneuver space. Based on the protected force commander’s desired
  reaction time, Army Aviation operates at extended distances from the main body thus offering additional
  time and space for the protected force commander to make an informed decision to employ forces. Based
  on the commander’s intent, the aviation security force may transition to conduct offensive tasks to fix,
  delay, or disrupt the enemy forces’ tempo and cohesion, providing reaction time and maneuver space to the
  protected force.
  3-114. Orient on the protected force, area, or facility. Whereas reconnaissance operations orient on the
  reconnaissance objective, security operations orient on the protected force. The security force operates
  between the enemy force and the protected force and is fully integrated in the protected force scheme of
  maneuver. The movement and orientation of the security force is simultaneous and nested with the
  protected force.
  3-115. Perform continuous reconnaissance. The aviation security force provides continuous
  reconnaissance through the persistent employment of UAS and continuous relief on station of
  AWTs/SWTs. Reconnaissance is overlapping and redundant with ground security forces, when operating in
  the security area, to ensure depth and mutual support. Based on the commander’s intent, aviation security
  forces conducting reconnaissance transition to hasty attacks to defeat enemy reconnaissance and security