text: Chapter 10
  Mobile Defense
  This chapter first discusses mobile defense and its general considerations. It then
  discusses organization of forces and control measures. Lastly, this chapter discusses
  how to plan, prepare, and execute a mobile defense.
  GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A MOBILE DEFENSE
  10-1. A mobile defense focuses on defeating or destroying enemy forces by allowing them to advance to a
  point where the striking force can conduct a decisive counterattack. The area defense, on the other hand,
  focuses on retaining terrain by absorbing an attacking force into an interlocked series of positions where units
  destroy the attacking force largely by fires.
  10-2. Units smaller than a division do not normally conduct a mobile defense because of their limited
  capabilities to conduct multiple engagements throughout the width and depth of an assigned area while
  simultaneously resourcing forces for striking, fixing, and reserve. Typically, the striking force in a mobile
  defense may consist of one-half to two-thirds of the defender’s combat power. BCTs and smaller units
  generally conduct an area defense or a delay as part of the fixing force as units shape the enemy force’s
  penetration, or they attack as part of the striking force. Alternatively, they can constitute a portion of the
  reserve.
  10-3. The mission variables may dictate that a unit conducts a mobile defense when defending against an
  enemy force with greater combat power but less mobility. The following circumstances favor when to
  conduct a mobile defense:
  * The defending force possesses equal or greater mobility than the enemy force.
  * The frontage assigned exceeds the defending force’s capability to establish an effective area or
  positional defense.
  * The depth of the assigned area encourages attacking enemy forces to overextend and move into
  unfavorable positions where they are vulnerable to a counterattack.
  * Time for preparing defensive positions is limited.
  * Sufficient armored, Stryker, aviation, Army, and joint fires are available to allow rapid
  concentration of combat power.
  * The assigned area lacks well-defined avenues of approach and consists largely of flat, open terrain.
  * The mission does not require denying the enemy specific terrain.
  10-4. Units conducting a mobile defense anticipate enemy penetrations into defended areas and use obstacles
  and defensive positions to shape and control penetrations. They also use counterattacks either to draw enemy
  forces into entering planned penetration areas or to deceive the enemy commander as to the nature of the
  defense. Risks associated with the conduct of a mobile defense include—
  * The fixing force may be isolated and defeated in detail because of the need to resource the striking
  force to the detriment of the fixing force.
  * Enemy operations may impair the ability of the striking force to react at critical points.
  * The enemy force may not move into the area intended by the defending commander.
  * The attacking enemy force may retain some momentum as it approaches desired engagement
  areas.