text: Chapter 13
  guard force commanders organize available forces and conduct their tasks. It specifically influences the areas
  of fire support and sustainment.
  Advance Guard
  13-80. An advance guard for a stationary force operates defensively. It defends or delays in accordance
  with the main body commander’s intent. An advance guard for a moving force operates offensively as
  depicted in figure 13-9. The advance guard develops the situation so the main body can use its combat power
  to the greatest effect. Units do not dissipate the main body’s combat power through piecemeal commitment.
  The full combat power of the main body must be available to mass and defeat the main enemy force.
  Figure 13-9. Advance guard for division attack
  13-81. An advance guard for a moving force normally conducts a movement to contact. It organizes and
  uses the control measures typically associated with the conduct of a movement to contact. Advance guard
  force units normally deploy their ground elements abreast to cover the axis of advance or the main body’s
  assigned area.
  13-82. The advance guard clears enemy elements from the axis of advance or designated portions of the
  assigned area. This allows the main body to move unimpeded, prevents the unnecessary delay of the main
  body, and defers the deployment of the main body for as long as possible.
  13-83. The advance guard can operate behind the security force of a higher echelon. For example, a division
  may use a reinforced reconnaissance squadron as an advanced guard, while each brigade column organizes
  one of its battalion task forces into an advance guard. (See figure 13-9.) The higher echelon security force
  initially develops the situation. Commanders may task the advance guard within their capability to—
  * Coordinate and conduct the rearward passage of lines of the security force.
  * Reduce obstacles to create lanes or improve existing lanes as required to support the maneuver of
  the main body.