FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
Page 131 of 256
Fire Support in Depth During Large-Scale Ground Combat Operations 30 April 2020 FM 3-09 6-21 Figure 6-3. Example of Corps attack EXPLOITATION AND PURSUIT 6-94. Exploitation is a type of offensive operation that usually follows a successful attack and is designed to disorganize the enemy in depth (ADP 3-90). Exploitation is the primary means of translating tactical success into operational advantage. It exacerbates enemy force disorganization, confusion and disruption of the C2 system caused by tactical defeat. Exploitation takes advantage of tactical opportunities to degrade enemy forces to the point where they have no alternative but surrender, be destroyed, or take flight. Typically, the maneuver commander does not assign a subordinate unit the mission of exploitation before starting a movement to contact or attack, but reorganizes internally to reflect the existing mission variables of mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time available, and civil considerations (referred to as METT-TC) when the opportunity to exploit success occurs. Exploitation demands a force with sufficient mobility to maintain pressure on the fleeing enemy force. Joint fires, to include CAS, are the most flexible assets in an exploitation and pursuit.