text: The Defense
  8-92. Units employ fires to support the security force, using precision and other munitions to destroy enemy
  reconnaissance elements and other high-payoff targets. This also helps to deceive enemy forces about the
  location of the MBA. Units support their security forces by planning the delivery of fires at appropriate times
  and places throughout their assigned areas to slow and canalize an enemy force as it approaches the security
  area. This allows defending security forces to engage enemy forces on favorable terms. To prevent fratricide
  and friendly fire incidents, units place no-fire areas over security force elements. Finally, defending units use
  fires to support the withdrawal of the security force once the security force’s shaping operation is complete
  and the defending unit is prepared to conduct MBA operations.
  8-93. Air support can play an important part in attriting or destroying enemy forces. Often, only aircraft are
  available to oppose an enemy penetration until ground forces can redeploy. Units use air interdiction and
  close air support to disrupt an enemy advance. Close air support can operate with Army helicopters and
  artillery assets. Additionally, units can incorporate artillery fires with electromagnetic warfare and joint
  systems to suppress enemy air defenses while aircraft engage targets. Air interdiction can delay, destroy, or
  neutralize enemy follow-on forces, thereby providing the unit with additional time to prepare defensive
  positions.
  8-94. Once the engagement moves into the MBA, fire support assets continue to target enemy combat units
  to force them to deploy. At the same time, these assets inflict casualties, disrupt the cohesion of the enemy’s
  attack, and impede the enemy’s ability to mass combat power. Fire support assets continue to attack an enemy
  follow-on force before it can be committed to the MBA. Fire support assets attack enemy command and
  control facilities and logistics sites in depth to isolate the attacking enemy force. Units take advantage of the
  range and flexibility of fire support weapons to mass fires at critical points, such as obstacles and engagement
  areas, to slow and canalize the enemy force to provide better targets for direct fire systems. Fire support
  systems cover barriers, gaps, and open areas within the MBA. Units assign tasks to these fire support systems,
  including closing obstacle gaps or reseeding previously breached obstacles in accordance with the rules of
  engagement. Other tasks include—
  * Massing fires to suppress enemy direct and indirect fire systems to facilitate defensive maneuver,
  especially counterattack and disengagement.
  * Neutralizing or isolating enemy forces that have penetrated the defensive area and impeding the
  movement of enemy reserves.
  * Attacking enemy artillery and forward air defense elements.
  * Using jamming to degrade or disrupt the enemy force’s ability to transmit data and information.
  * Reallocating fire support assets, after identifying the enemy’s main effort, to reinforce fires in the
  most vulnerable areas.
  * Disrupting the enemy combined arms team through such action as separating attacking enemy
  combat vehicles from enemy dismounted infantry.
  8-95. In response to shallow enemy penetrations, artillery units normally reposition their systems laterally,
  away from the points of enemy penetration. This allows the defender’s artillery systems to provide fire
  support throughout the area of penetration.
  SUSTAINMENT
  8-96. Units address several unique sustainment considerations in the defensive plan. Priorities for
  replenishment are normally ammunition and materials to construct caching ammunition and limited amounts
  of petroleum products. Units place these materials in centrally located positions within obstacles and
  defensive positions. There is normally a reduced need for bulk fuel in the defense compared to the offense.
  There may be an increased demand for decontaminants and CBRN collective and personal protective
  equipment. Units consider stockpiling for the MBA. If necessary, units plan to destroy those stocks as part
  of a delay. The supply of obstacle materials in a defense can be a significant problem that requires detailed
  coordination and long lead times. Units are careful to not overlook the transportation assets and personnel
  required in obtaining, moving, and uncrating barrier material and associated obstacle-creating munitions,
  such as demolition charges and mines.
  8-97. Commanders ensure that echelon sustainment officers and sustainment unit commanders supporting
  the defending force understand the commander’s tactical intent. Sustainment officers can then establish