text: Area Defense
  Figure 9-3. Organization of forces for an area defense, noncontiguous assigned areas
  9-20. Commanders describe their concept of operations in sufficient detail so that their staffs and subordinate
  commanders understand precisely how commanders intend to fight their battles. Commanders ensure the
  coordination of maneuver and supporting actions among subordinates.
  9-21. Commanders’ keys to successful area defense include—
  * Concentrating effects.
  * Depth of the defensive area.
  * Security.
  * Taking full advantage of the terrain.
  * Flexibility of defensive actions.
  * Timely resumption of offensive actions.
  9-22. Units organize their defensive efforts based on their analysis of the mission variables and their higher
  echelon commander’s concept. They decide where to concentrate their efforts and how to economize forces.
  Initial friendly actions force enemy units to enter established engagement areas. Friendly forces regain the
  initiative from enemy forces when they successfully perform their area defense. They take advantage of
  available offensive opportunities that do not risk the integrity of their defenses.
  9-23. Sustainment units in an area defense require a careful balance among establishing forward supply
  stocks of petroleum, oils, and lubricants; barrier material; and ammunition in adequate amounts to support
  defending units. These units avoid having so many supplies located in forward locations that units cannot
  rapidly move them to counter or avoid enemy advances. Commanders can lawfully obtain from local civilian
  infrastructure any suitable petroleum, oils, and lubricants, barrier material, construction equipment, and
  laborers which will reduce the defending unit’s transportation requirements. Proper forecasting of supply and
  support requirements is important to the success of the area defense. Likewise, units forward deploy
  maintenance and medical support with their associated repair parts and medical supplies. Those systems and
  Soldiers or equipment that cannot return quickly to the battle are rapidly evacuated from forward defensive
  positions to avoid unduly burdening medical and maintenance elements.
  POSITION SELECTION
  9-24. Successful units carefully design their defense plan to ensure they can halt enemy attacks and develop
  opportunities to seize the initiative and resume offensive operations. The cohesion of defending forces