text: Chapter 4
  operations, and ensuring operations security. An enhanced COP and enhanced terrain visualization enable
  engineer commanders to achieve the element of surprise because enemy defensive preparation is better
  understood. Engineers assist the ground commander in achieving surprise through obstacle reduction and
  situational obstacle employment. The element of surprise is enabled by rapidly overcoming obstacles, thus
  increasing the force tempo.
  Concentration requires careful prior coordination within the combined arms team, other Services, and
  multinational partners. Engineers consider the concentration of effects in planning by integrating geospatial
  products and templating threat obstacles and hazards. This effort is further enhanced with the employment
  of engineer reconnaissance, which can provide the necessary obstacle information and other technical
  information essential for detailed planning. This allows the maneuver force and the engineers who support
  them to concentrate reduction assets and overcome complex obstacles as part of the maneuver unit breaching
  plan.
  Engineers who understand the commander’s intent and operate in a decentralized role can enable the
  commander to see the OE and anticipate future operations. With enhanced situational understanding,
  commanders can be more audacious. Engineer speed and flexibility are crucial to the attack. The ability to
  quickly reduce, mark, and guide the supported maneuver unit through an obstacle is the engineer’s signature
  function.
  BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM ECHELON SUPPORT
  The BCT conducts offensive operations to defeat and destroy enemy forces and to seize terrain,
  resources, and population centers. Offensive operations impose the BCT commander’s will on the enemy.
  Offensive operations capitalize on accurate and timely intelligence and other relevant information regarding
  enemy forces, weather, and terrain. Maintaining the momentum of the offense requires the BCT to quickly
  pass through obstacles as it encounters them. The commander plans how and where subordinate forces breach
  obstacles that are encountered. Commanders at brigade and task force levels configure engineer capabilities
  to emplace obstacles rapidly once on the objective to protect attacking forces from enemy counterattacks.
  The commander must carefully consider the most effective command and support relationship for
  engineers in support of maneuver elements. In the offense, engineers must be positioned well forward within
  maneuver formations to be able to be most responsive. A habitual relationship between engineer and
  supported maneuver units enhances effectiveness and efficiency. Engineers must link up with their supported
  maneuver unit early in the planning process. During an offensive operation, the commander should keep
  changes to the engineer task organization to a minimum. Task organization changes during the offense are
  normally linked to time- or event-based triggers. The engineer’s main effort may reinforce the maneuver
  commander’s main effort and help ensure the success of the commander’s overall intent. Through a
  supporting effort, the engineer’s main effort often ensures the success of a maneuver commander. The
  engineer commander may weigh the main effort through the presence of the commander, senior staff, or
  additional mobility or countermobility or through an emphasis on resource resupply. The designated priorities
  of engineer support should identify the focus of support (M/CM/S) and a point of application.
  DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
  The defense is conducted to defeat an enemy attack, gain time, economize forces, and develop
  conditions favorable for offensive or stability operations. Defense plans should not be designed to simply
  resist enemy attack. Defensive operations should be concentrated toward reverting to the offense and
  decisively defeating the enemy. The engineer focus is on attacking the ability of the enemy to influence
  operating areas (countermobility through combined arms obstacle integration and survivability of the
  defending force) and on assuring mobility for friendly repositioning or counterattacking forces.
  The defending force arrives first on the battlefield and, with the help of engineers, shapes the battlefield
  to its advantage. Based on the higher commander’s intent, maneuver commanders, the fire support officer,
  and engineers site tactical obstacles to enhance the effects of direct and indirect fires on the enemy. Engineers
  provide technical expertise and advice to the commander on tactical obstacle emplacement. Fortifications
  allow fires from positions that best disrupt and destroy the attacker. Due to defending force survivability, the