text: Chapter 6
  initial exploiting force needs to hold ground or resupply. The relieving force requires a high degree of tactical
  mobility so it can continue the exploitation.
  6-5. An exploitation may be more effective if units commit additional forces and assign them the task of
  follow and support or follow and assume. They assign follow and support missions to units designated to
  assist exploiting forces by relieving them of tasks that would slow their advances. The lead unit and any
  follow and assume or follow and support units exchange liaison teams to facilitate the transfer of
  responsibilities. Units designated to follow and assume conduct a forward passage of lines and replace the
  initial exploiting forces before they approach their culminating point. Normally, the next higher echelon
  commander retains control of the forces performing the task of follow and support or follow and assume.
  When possible, units assigned these tasks should possess mobility equal to that of the exploiting unit or
  receive additional engineer and transportation assets to provide the necessary mobility. Once organized, they
  are committed forces and receive artillery, air defense, engineer, and other functional and multifunctional
  support and sustainment forces based on the mission variables. In an exploitation operation projected to
  achieve significant depth, commanders may attach elements of a follow and support unit to the exploiting
  force to ensure unity of command and effort. Units retain only those reserves necessary to ensure flexibility
  of operation, continued momentum in the advance, and likely enemy responses to the exploitation.
  6-6. Since the force conducting an exploitation operation typically covers a wider front than an attacking
  force, fire support assets may find their supported elements operating outside normal supporting ranges. Fire
  support assets must displace forward to ensure continued fire support on and beyond enemy formations, but
  this may impede the support to an exploiting force’s flank elements. Commanders typically establish a
  command or support relationship between the exploiting force’s subordinate elements and fire support units
  (and other combat enablers) to provide the required support. Alternatively, they may move additional
  reinforcing fire support elements forward to ensure fires coverage.
  6-7. The joint air and missile defense coverage for the initial attack is likely to remain effective throughout
  an exploitation. However, this air and missile defense coverage may become less effective when tactical
  commanders accept risk and require these air and missile defense assets to cover more area as their forces
  advance. Commanders consider the risks with moving out of air and missile defense coverage. Units request
  adjustments in that coverage to conform to the unit’s tactical maneuvers.
  6-8. An exploitation mission demands a force with a significant mobility advantage over enemy forces.
  This mobility advantage may favor forces with tracked or wheeled armored combat vehicles. Attack
  helicopters and air assault assets may constitute a portion of an exploiting force’s combat power. Dismounted
  infantry conducting a vertical envelopment are extremely useful in seizing key terrain such as defiles and
  crossing obstacles. They can also disrupt enemy transportation nodes along the exploiting force’s route of
  advance into and through the enemy force’s rear. Units integrate combat engineers into the exploiting force
  to breach obstacles, keep ground forces maneuvering, and provide countermobility protection to the flanks.
  They also use engineers to maintain the force’s supply routes.
  Reconnaissance and Security Forces
  6-9. When units initiate an exploitation operation, the exact enemy situation may not be clear. They order
  one or more subordinates to conduct reconnaissance to gain and maintain enemy contact. Those forces
  conducting reconnaissance also provide a degree of security. Supporting collection assets, other information
  collection assets, and intelligence produced by adjacent, higher, and lower echelons complement their
  reconnaissance efforts. These assets assist units in maintaining a situational understanding of the strength,
  dispositions, capabilities, and intentions of all significant enemy elements within their areas of interest.
  Commanders normally emphasize reconnaissance more than security operations when conducting
  exploitation. Nevertheless, since forces exploiting success tend to move independently, the overall
  commander addresses the total force’s security requirements.
  6-10. Units assign the appropriate security missions to appropriate subordinates in the same way they do for
  a movement to contact (discussed in Chapter 4). Exploiting commanders typically organize the forward most
  security element into a covering force to protect their main body’s movement and develop the situation before
  they commit their main body. These security elements respond directly to the overall commander.