MCWP 3-14 Employment of the Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion SEMPER FIDELIS US Marine Corps DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. PCN: 143 000115 00 To Our Readers Changes: Readers of this publication are encouraged to submit suggestions and changes through the Universal Need Statement (UNS) process. The UNS submission processs is delineated in Marine Corps Order 3900.15_, Marine Corps Expeditionary Force Development System, which can be obtained from the Marine Corps Publications Electronic Library Online (http://www.marines. mil/news/publications/Pages/Publications137.aspx). The UNS recommendation should include the following information: • Location of change Publication number and title Current page number Paragraph number (if applicable) Line number Figure or table number (if applicable) • Nature of change Addition/deletion of text Proposed new text Additional copies: A printed copy of this publication may be obtained from Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, GA 31704-5001, by following the in- structions in MCBul 5600, Marine Corps Doctrinal Publications Status. An electronic copy may be obtained from the MCCDC Doctrine World Wide Web home page: https://www.doctrine.usmc.mil. Unless otherwise stated, whenever the masculine gender is used, both men and women are included. DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY Headquarters United States Marine Corps Washington, DC 20380-1775 17 September 2009 FOREWORD Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 3-14, Employment of the Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, addresses the tactical employment of the light armored recon- naissance (LAR) battalion by the Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) commander and his staff. This publication provides guidance for the MAGTF commander, his staff, and his subor- dinate commanders in planning, preparing for, and conducting operations involving the LAR battalion. It addresses the organization, fundamentals, and employment of the LAR battalion to include logistic and command and control considerations. This publication supersedes MCWP 3-14, Employment of the Light Armored Infantry Battalion, dated 21 August 1992. Reviewed and approved this date. BY DIRECTION OF THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS GEORGE. J. FLYNN Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration Publication Control Number: 143 000115 00 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Employment of Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion ___________________________________________________ iii E L MPLOYMENT OF THE IGHT A R B RMORED ECONNAISSANCE ATTALION T C ABLE OF ONTENTS Chapter 1. Fundamentals Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Fundamental Roles of the Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion . . . . . 1-2 Shape the Battlespace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Provide Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Provide Reaction Time and Maneuver Space. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Preserve Combat Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Light Armored Reconnaissance in Operational Maneuver From the Sea . . 1-2 Amphibious Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 MAGTF Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Offensive Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Defensive Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Deep Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 Close Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 Rear Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 Chapter 2. Organization, Capabilities, and Limitations Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Light Armored Vehicle Mission Role Variants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Light Armored Reconnaissance Scouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Troop Density. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 Operational Capabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Strategic Mobility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Operational Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 Tactical Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 Firepower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Restricted Terrain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Water Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Off Road Soil Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7 Weather Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7 Recovery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7 Armor Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7 iv _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 3-14 Chapter 3. Operations Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1 Unit Integrity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1 Task Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1 Forward Employment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1 Flexibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1 Reconnaissance Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2 Collection Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3 Reconnaissance Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3 Reconnaissance Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3 Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3 Security Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6 Offensive Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10 Defensive Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10 Passage of Lines and Battle Handover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10 Chapter 4. Command and Control Command and Control System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1 Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1 Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1 Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2 Command Echelons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2 Tactical Echelon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3 Main Echelon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3 Rear Echelon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3 Increments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3 Command and Control Organization and Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3 Forward Command Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4 Main Command Post. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5 Combat Trains Command Post. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6 Company Command Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6 Fire Support Coordination Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6 Fire Support Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7 Air Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7 Artillery Liaison Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7 Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7 Target Information Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7 Command and Staff Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-8 Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-8 Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-8 Battalion Commander. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9 Subordinate Commanders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9 Battalion Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9 Executive Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9 Liason Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11 Employment of Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion ____________________________________________________ v Command and Control Reporting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 Commander’s Critical Information Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 Priority Intelligence Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 Friendly Force Information Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 Essential Elements of Friendly Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 Command and Control Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12 Means of Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12 Chapter 5. Intelligence Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 Planning Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 Counterreconnaissance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 Commander’s Critical Information Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 Chapter 6. Fire Support Fire Support Planning Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 Tempo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 Fire Support Coordination Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Fire Support Stucture . . . . 6-1 Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 Artillery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Naval Surface Fire Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Marine Aviation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Offensive Air Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Aerial Reconnaissance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Assault Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Mortars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3 Chapter 7. Urban Operations Urban Operations Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1 Assess. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1 Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 Dominate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 Operational Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 Capabilities and Limitations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3 Vehicle Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3 Vehicle Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4 25-mm Automatic Cannon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4 Target Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4 vi _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 3-14 Burst Fire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-5 Weapon Penetration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-5 Combat Service Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-7 Resupply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-7 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-7 Medical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-7 Chapter 8. Light Armored Reconnaissance Combat Engineer Operations Mobility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-1 Countermobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-1 Engineer Reconnaissance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-1 Light Armored Reconnaissance Combat Engineer Organization. . . . . . . . .8-2 Planning Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-2 Appendix A. Passage of Lines and Battle Handover Glossary References C 1 HAPTER F UNDAMENTALS The Marine Corps organizes for combat by form- MEF is capable of conducting amphibious opera- ing Marine air-ground task forces (MAGTFs), tions and sustained operations ashore, and it can which are combined arms warfighting organiza- be tailored to accommodate a wide variety of tions tailored to accomplish specific missions. combat missions in any geographic environment. They are task-organized for rapid deployment by airlift and/or sealift. They include a command element, a ground combat element (GCE), an avi- Light Armored ation combat element (ACE), and a logistics Reconnaissance Battalion Mission combat element. They are readily available, self- sustaining, combined arms combat forces capa- The LAR battalion performs combined arms ble of conducting amphibious operations and reconnaissance and security missions in support defense of advanced naval bases in support of a of the GCE. Its mission is to conduct reconnais- naval campaign. The MAGTF is also capable of sance, security and economy of force operations, sustained operations ashore in support of a land and, within its capabilities, limited offensive or campaign and can operate across the range of defensive operations that exploit the unit’s mobil- military operations. ity and firepower. Unless otherwise noted, all discussion of light The LAR battalion may function as an indepen- armored reconnaissance (LAR) battalion employ- dent maneuver element or as an element of a ment should be considered within the context of a larger unit such as a regimental combat team, or Marine expeditionary force (MEF). The MEF, the its subordinate companies may support other tac- largest of the MAGTFs, is normally built around tical units in the GCE. a Marine division (MARDIV), Marine aircraft wing, and Marine logistics group all under a sin- gle commander as depicted in figure 1-1. The Fundamental Roles of the Light LAR battalion is a separate battalion within a Armored Reconnaissance Battalion MARDIV. The LAR battalion and/or its subordi- nate elements can be task-organized and placed under the command of the GCE commander. The Shape the Battlespace The fundamental role of the LAR battalion in the MARDIV is to shape the battlespace. The LAR battalion performs this by conducting reconnais- MEF Command sance, security, and other operations. In doing so, Element the LAR battalion facilitates the supported com- mander’s ability to maneuver his forces, to con- centrate superior combat power, and to apply it Marine Marine Marine against the enemy at the decisive point. The LAR Aircraft Logistics Division battalion helps to reduce the “fog of war” by Wing Group locating where the enemy is, where he is not, where he is strong, and where he is weak. Figure 1-1. Marine Expeditionary Force. 1-2 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 3-14 Provide Information Preserve Combat Power To successfully execute maneuver, the sup- The LAR battalion, by its role, can perform econ- ported commander must have a high degree of omy of force missions. The flexible capabilities situational awareness. The LAR battalion pos- of the LAR battalion allow the GCE commander sesses a unique combination of systems and per- the ability to retain combat power of other tacti- sonnel to gather and communicate information; cal units for engagement where he desires. i.e., digital and mobile high frequency (HF) com- munications, advanced thermal optics, scouts, Light Armored Reconnaissance in and satellite communications capability. The sup- Operational Maneuver From the Sea ported commander must make judicious, yet aggressive, use of his reconnaissance and intelli- gence assets. In building the reconnaissance and The operational maneuver from the sea (OMFTS) surveillance (R&S) plan, the supported com- is the maneuver of naval forces at the operational mander considers all collection assets at his dis- level, focusing on operational objectives that are posal and assigns them tasks best suited to their sustained by sea-based logistics. Within this con- abilities to accomplish these tasks. By employ- cept, OMFTS views the sea as the principal ing the LAR battalion, the commander strives to maneuver space and provides the Marine Corps reduce the enemy, terrain, and friendly unknowns the capability to rapidly project naval forces of the battlefield to allow him to fight effectively ashore faster than the enemy can counter them. and to operate within the enemy’s decision cycle. Requirements for OMFTS are as follows: The successful execution of maneuver warfare Forces that can rapidly maneuver from the ship continues to be the product of thorough recon- (cid:122) to the objective. naissance and continuous security. Light armored Forces that are highly mobile and can move reconnaissance capabilities can be used to con- (cid:122) great distances with little logistical support. firm or deny information gained from other col- Forces that can be employed across the range lection assets and, where required, fill in gaps in (cid:122) of military operations. the R&S plan. Light armored reconnaissance capabilities provide the supported commander The LAR battalion is exceptionally well suited to increased reaction time and maneuver space execute OMFTS. The moderate fuel consump- using depth in zone. tion, deep projection potential, and relatively small logistical tail of the LAR battalion provide Provide Reaction Time and Maneuver Space the MAGTF a highly flexible force capable of a wide range of missions that can influence actions The commander thinks and plans in terms of the within the littorals when supported by sea-based time and space that is required to maneuver and logistics. As such, LAR units embarked aboard concentrate subordinate units against enemy naval shipping are ideal for conducting opera- weaknesses. The distance the LAR battalion tions in the STOM [ship-to-objective maneuver] operates from the GCE and the amount of com- concept, into and beyond the littorals. bat power available determine how much time and space the commander will have to react to the enemy. The mobility that is provided by the Amphibious Operations light armored vehicle (LAV) allows LAR units to seize or retain the initiative and to create or exploit opportunities as they occur in the course During amphibious operations, the LAR battalion of other operations. can enhance the success of the landing without Employment of Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion __________________________________________________ 1-3 diversion of the assault forces from the main As part of a MAGTF offensive operation, the landing. The unit can form part of a separate land- LAR battalion, or one of its subordinate compa- ing group to participate in pre-assault operations, nies, may perform a series of supporting mis- subsidiary landings, feints, demonstrations, or sions such as— raids. The LAR battalion can support isolation of Reconnaissance operations (route, area, zone, the landing area, reconnoiter coastal and inland (cid:122) deep). defenses, deceive the enemy, neutralize or destroy Security operations (screen, guard). targets protected from attack by other means, and (cid:122) deny areas to the enemy. The LAR battalion can (cid:122) Other operations (convoy security, raids). participate in the main landing, moving ashore in scheduled waves to protect an open flank, or it Defensive Operations can remain on-call to exploit success. Finally, an LAR unit can serve as part of the covering force The primary purpose of defensive operations is to during an amphibious withdrawal. defeat enemy attacks and thrusts through or around a unit’s position. It may also be offensive in nature so as to draw the enemy into engage- MAGTF Operations ment areas. The defense is assumed as a tempo- rary state that creates the conditions for MAGTF units to rest, rearm, refuel, or reinforce. The Within the MAGTF, the LAR battalion normally MAGTF may transition to a defensive posture at operates as an independent maneuver element. its culminating point—when the offense loses The LAR battalion also operates as a part of the momentum. The LAR battalion, as part of the MARDIV or MAGTF to which it is assigned, or GCE, supports MAGTF defensive operations by as part of a special purpose MAGTF. However, providing the MAGTF commander a wide array the LAR battalion may directly support other tac- of employment capabilities. The speed, opera- tical units within the GCE as a battalion or with tional mobility, and long-range communications its subordinate companies. capability of the LAV provide the MAGTF com- mander a force that can exploit opportunities and Offensive Operations rapidly transition to the offensive. The MAGTF conducts offensive operations to The LAR battalion may perform a series of mis- destroy the enemy’s ability and will to resist. sions within the defense. Security missions will While opposing forms, offensive and defensive predominate. Initially, the LAR battalion may operations are not mutually exclusive and cannot screen or guard forward of the GCE. It may also exist separately. The LAR battalion is well suited serve as part of a covering force. Alternatively, to conduct offensive or defensive operations the LAR battalion may screen or guard an within the framework of a MAGTF’s offensive exposed flank. Subsequently, the battalion may scheme. Within an offensive scheme, LAR units operate in the MAGTF rear area performing a may conduct a variety of missions: variety of tasks that augment the MAGTF com- Movement to contact. mander’s scheme. (cid:122) Hasty attack. (cid:122) Finally, the LAR battalion may support commit- Deception operations. (cid:122) ment of the reserve. The battalion facilitates Defend. (cid:122) movement as a reserve repositions or moves. (cid:122) Raids. Upon commitment, the LAR battalion may con- (cid:122) Other special purpose operations. tinue with the reserve, performing reconnais- sance or providing security.