text: Chapter 18
  Mobility
  Mobility is a combined arms activity. This chapter focuses on mobility and the different
  mission and tasks associated with combined arms mobility.
  MOBILITY
  18-1. Freedom to move and maneuver in an operational area is essential to the application of combat power
  and mission accomplishment. The operational environment will present numerous challenges to movement
  and maneuver. Combined arms mobility overcomes these challenges by integrating the framework of assured
  mobility in support of offensive, defensive, and other enabling operations.
  18-2. Mobility is a quality or capability of military forces which permits them to move from place to place
  while retaining the ability to fulfill their primary mission (JP 3-36). Mobility is necessary for the conduct of
  successful offensive operations. When discussing Army tactics, mobility includes both movement and
  maneuver, generally, applying to both collectively unless stated as movement or maneuver. Its major focus
  is to enable friendly forces to move and maneuver freely on the battlefield or an assigned area. Units require
  the capability to move, exploit, and pursue the enemy across a wide front.
  18-3. When attacking, the commander wants to concentrate the effects of combat power at select locations.
  This may require the unit to improve or construct combat trails through areas where routes do not exist. The
  surprise achieved by attacking through an area believed to be impassable may justify the effort expended in
  constructing these trails. The force bypasses existing obstacles that are identified before starting the offense
  instead of breaching them, when possible. However, this must be done with caution because it might give
  the enemy an advantage. Bypassed obstacles are reported to higher headquarters, and they are marked as the
  situation allows.
  18-4. Maintaining the momentum of an offensive operation requires the attacking force to quickly pass
  through obstacles as it encounters them. This involves a deliberate effort to capture enemy bridges and other
  enemy reserved obstacles intact. In some cases, using air assault and airborne forces is an effective technique
  to accomplish this goal. Hasty breaching is the preferred method when time and resources are unavailable to
  conduct a deliberate breach. The commander plans how and where subordinate forces conduct breaching.
  18-5. Rivers and other gaps larger than navigable by mounted and dismounted forces remain major obstacles
  despite advances in high-mobility vehicles and increased aviation support. Wet-gap crossings are among the
  most critical, complex, and vulnerable combined arms missions. While units conduct hasty crossings, when
  possible, they continue the attack with speed. Operational risk is much higher with hasty crossings, and staff
  planning must still incorporate the breaching tenets and gap crossing fundamentals. The size of the gap and
  the enemy and friendly situation will dictate the specific tactics, techniques, and procedures used in
  conducting the crossing. Gap crossing includes the deliberate, hasty, and covert capabilities. Initial combat
  crossings may be further developed in support of LOCs.
  MOBILITY TASKS
  18-6. Mobility tasks are combined arms activities that mitigates the effects of obstacles to enable freedom of
  movement and maneuver (ATP 3-90.4/MCTP 3-34A). There are six primary mobility tasks:
  * Breach.
  * Gap crossing.
  * Clear (areas and routes).
  * Combat roads and trails.