FM-3-81 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Download
Page 83 of 188
Support Area Responsibilities 09 November 2021 FM 3-81 4-13 Lines of Communications Security 4-62. The security and protection of LOCs and supply routes are critical to military operations because most support traffic moves along these routes. The security of LOCs and supply routes (rail, pipeline, highway, and waterway) presents one of the greatest security challenges in the support area. Route security operations are defensive in nature and are terrain-oriented. A route security force may prevent an enemy or adversary force from impeding, harassing, or destroying traffic along a route or portions of a route by establishing a movement corridor. Organizations task-organized to the designated support area land owner (engineer, CBRN, military police, EOD) are capable of providing security and protection of LOC and supply routes that are identified as critical to military operations. Units conduct synchronized operations (mobility and information collection) within the movement corridor. A movement corridor may be established in a high- risk area to facilitate the movement of a single element or to accommodate an enduring operation. See appendix B for additional information on LOC. Checkpoints and Combat Outposts 4-63. It is often necessary to control the freedom of movement in an AO for a specific period of time or as a long-term operation. This may be accomplished by placing checkpoints and combat outposts along designated avenues and roadways or on key terrain identified through METT-TC. Checkpoints are used for controlling, regulating, and verifying movement; combat outposts are used for sanctuary, support, information collection, or area denial. See ATP 3-90.4 for more information on combat outposts. Checkpoints 4-64. Checkpoints monitor and control the movement of personnel and vehicles, inspect cargo, enforce laws and regulations, and provide information. They may be used simply to coordinate movement and surveillance activities. Establishing checkpoints is a critical measure in a commander’s overall security efforts. A commander designates checkpoints along a movement route to assist marching units in complying with the timetable. The movement overlay identifies critical points along the route where interference with movement might occur. Commanders position traffic control posts along the route to prevent congestion and confusion. They may be manned by military police or other unit personnel. These Soldiers report to the appropriate area movement control organization when each convoy, march column, and march serial arrives and completes passage of their location. Checkpoints may indicate critical terrain features, help to coordinate air-ground integration, and enable effective civil control. Combat Outpost 4-65. A combat outpost is a reinforced observation post that is capable of conducting limited combat operations. While the factors of METT-TC determine the size, location, and number of combat outposts established by a unit, a reinforced platoon typically occupies a combat outpost. Mounted and dismounted forces can employ combat outposts. Combat outposts are usually located far enough in front of the protected force to preclude enemy ground reconnaissance elements from observing the actions of the protected force. Considerations for employing combat outposts— Allow security forces to be employed in restrictive terrain that precludes mounted security forces from covering the area. Can be used when smaller observation posts are in danger of being overrun by enemy forces infiltrating into and through the security area. Enable a commander to extend the depth of their security area. Should not seriously deplete the strength of the main body. 4-66. Forces manning combat outposts can conduct aggressive patrolling, engage and destroy enemy reconnaissance elements, and engage the enemy main body before their extraction. The commander should plan to extract their forces from the combat outpost before the enemy has the opportunity to overrun them.