most of the engineer assets forward is critical to the
operation's
success.
Engineers
integrate
mobility
and
countermobility by fighting well forward in the combat zone along
with the division units on the forward line of own troops (FLOT).
The engineers' orientation is forward, and all their work
provides essential support to the forward fight.
(3) Engineer units are never held in reserve, and commanders use them
for other things when supporting a reserve maneuver unit.
However, force commanders must realize that future operations can
be impaired if engineer units are given insufficient time to
refit and regroup before they are tasked to support a committed
maneuver unit. Engineers are often used for critical tasks until
the last possible moment and then face the difficult task of
traveling to another location to join a force already committed.
Commanders must resist this tendency and allow engineer units at
least 12 hours to prepare for commitment.
As the TF engineer,
you must inform the force commander of this requirement.
d. Ensure that current engineer operations promote future operations.
(1) Engineers must start work early so the mission will be completed
on time.
They must anticipate future missions and reposition
their units, if necessary, while accomplishing the current
mission.
(2) The engineer effort must accomplish the immediate mission and fit
into the commander's long-term intent.
For example, a TF
engineer anticipating and planning a counterattack is still
involved in supporting a defensive operation. If he knows that
the commander intends to counterattack, he must start preparing
as soon as possible.
e. Do not hold engineers in reserve.
(1) Engineer units should remain in the fight and be out only long
enough to refit after a major action.
(2) Prior planning helps an engineer unit make a timely return after
it has been taken out of action and assures adequate integration
and preparation for continuing the fight.
f. Build a logistically sustainable force.
(1) Remember
that
resources
are
always
limited.
Materiel,
transportation assets, and time affect the ability to execute
plans.
(2) Plan engineer-unit sustainment and the supporting logistics
structure in detail. Logistics limitations may restrict the size
of the usable engineer force.
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EN5483
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