text: Offense
  the decisive operation or main effort. The BSB commander positions sustainment units well forward in an
  attack whenever possible to provide immediate support. As the BCT advances, sustainment units and
  capabilities echelon support forward to ensure uninterrupted support to maneuver units (see chapter 9).
  PLANNING
  6-181. The BCT commander and staff plan for an attack in the same manner as discussed in paragraph
  6-125 for a movement to contact. As with the movement to contact, planning for an attack begins with a
  thorough understanding of the area of operations through a detailed IPB. The staff integrates the IPB,
  targeting, and RM (see chapter 4 for a detailed discussion) and information collection (see chapter 5 for a
  detailed discussion) throughout the MDMP. The BCT commander allocates resources as required to provide
  the maximum possible combat power to the decisive operation or main effort. Units conducting shaping
  operations or supporting operations should have sufficient combat power to conduct their mission.
  6-182. Fire support planning (see chapter 4) directly supports the BCT’s concept of operations to engage
  enemy forces, movement formations, and facilities in pursuit of tactical and operational objectives. The
  commander uses a blend of friendly information management, knowledge management, and information
  collection operations to take advantage of the range,precision,and lethality of available weapon systems and
  information superiority,thus achieving fire superiority. The commander focuses fire support effects to gain
  and maintain fire superiority at critical points during the attack and to maintain freedom of maneuver.
  Responsiveness and flexibility requirethat the BCT must have the ability to rapidly clear fires.
  6-183. Army attack reconnaissance aviation units (see chapter 4) conduct shaping operation attacks to assist
  the BCT in finding,fixing,and destroying the enemy. Attack reconnaissance aviation units support ground
  forces in contact through Army aviation attacks. During a meeting engagement, attack reconnaissance
  aviation units provide information to help develop the situation. Assault helicopter battalions support ground
  force maneuver through air movement and air assault missions.
  PREPARATION
  6-184. The BCT uses the available time before the attack to conduct reconnaissance,precombat checks and
  inspections,and rehearsals. The BCT conceals attack preparations from the enemy. The commander and staff
  refine the planbased on continuously updated intelligence. Subordinates conduct parallel planning and start
  their preparation for the attack immediately after the BCT issues a fragmentary order. As more intelligence
  becomes available, the commander revises orders and distributes them; thereby giving subordinates more
  time to prepare for the attack.
  EXECUTION
  6-185. For discussion purposes, the execution of the attack is addressed using the following five-step
  sequence,gain and maintain enemy contact,disrupt the enemy,fix the enemy,maneuver,and follow through.
  This sequence is not the only method of executing an attack. These steps may overlap or be conducted
  simultaneously. Normally the first three of these steps are shaping operations or supporting efforts,while the
  maneuver step is the decisive operation or main effort. Follow through is normally a sequel or a branch to
  the plan based on the current situation.
  Step 1,Gain and Maintain Enemy Contact
  6-186. The commander positions maneuver forces and information collection assets to maintain observation
  of enemy reactions to maneuver on the objective. Information collection focuses on areas the enemy may use
  to reposition forces,commit reserves,and counterattack. For example,the commander may infiltrate or insert
  reconnaissance and securityforces to observe the objective or routes that an enemy reserve may use. As the
  BCT attacks, reconnaissance and security forces report enemy reactions, repositioning, and battle damage
  assessment. The BCT may task the reconnaissance forces to target and engage enemy repositioning forces,
  reserves,counterattacking forces,and other HPTswith indirect fires. Early identification of enemy reactions
  is essential for the BCT to maintain momentum and the initiative during the attack. To regain contact with
  the enemy during an attack,the BCT commander may use the Cavalry squadron to regain contact and provide
  information on the enemy’s current location,disposition,and movement.