text: FM 7-100.1________________________________________________________________________________
  3-113. The window of opportunity needed to establish conditions favorable to
  the execution of a strike may be one created by the OPFOR or one that devel-
  ops due to external factors in the operational environment. When this window
  must be created, the OPFOR keys on several tasks that must be accomplished:
  • Destroy enemy ground reconnaissance.
  • Deceive enemy imagery and signals sensors.
  • Create an uncertain air defense environment.
  • Selectively deny situational awareness.
  • Maximize use of complex terrain.
  Reconnaissance Fire
  3-114. In addition to the above, the OPFOR will typically precede a strike
  with significant reconnaissance fire (see Chapter 7) designed to remove one
  or more key capabilities from the enemy force. The targeted capabilities could
  be ground reconnaissance, effective C2, effective logistics, or casualty evacuation.
  Organizing Forces for a Strike
  3-115. A strike employs fixing, assault, and exploitation forces. The disrup-
  tion force can play an important role in determining when the target forma-
  tion will enter the kill zone for the strike.
  3-116. Fixing Force. The fixing force in a strike is primarily focused on fix-
  ing enemy forces that might come to the aid of the target formation. The bat-
  tle will develop rapidly, and enemy forces cannot be allowed to reposition to
  influence the assault and exploitation forces. Maneuver forces, precision
  fires, air defense units, long-range antiarmor systems, situational obstacles,
  chemical weapons, and EW are well suited to fix defending forces.
  3-117. Assault Force. The assault force in a strike is charged with creating
  the conditions that allow the exploitation force to complete the destruction of
  the target formation. Since the exploitation force is principally required to
  act within the window of opportunity, the assault force may successfully em-
  ploy infiltration of infantry to carefully pre-selected points to assist the ex-
  ploitation force in its action. Smoke and suppressive artillery and rocket
  fires, combat engineer units, and air-delivered weapons are also suited to this
  mission.
  3-118. Exploitation Force. The exploitation force in a strike has the mis-
  sion of completing the destruction of the target formation. Strike exploitation
  forces are almost always combinations of highly lethal ground maneuver
  formations and precision long-range fire systems. A strike must be capable of
  eliminating the target enemy force before the higher enemy commander has
  time to react. An armored or attack helicopter unit is often best suited to be
  the core of an exploitation force in a strike, due to the combination of mobil-
  ity, protection, and firepower possessed by such forces. However, a strike
  may be successfully executed without any maneuver forces, and the exploita-
  tion force may consist entirely of long-range fire systems.