ADP 3-90, page 53

The Offense 31 July 2019 ADP 3-90 3-13 3-78. Commanders integrate and synchronize countermobility considerations as part of their concepts of operations because obstacles can hinder both friendly and enemy maneuver. The control and accurate reporting of minefields and other tactical obstacles are vital. Control of obstacle initiation is necessary to prevent the premature activation of minefields and emplacement of obstacles. (See ATP 3-90.8 for information on obstacle integration and JP 3-15 for information on mine warfare.) 3-79. While conducting offensive operations, commanders place special emphasis on protection tasks related to survivability and detention operations. All units are responsible for improving their positions, regardless of role or location. Survivability is a quality or capability of military forces which permits them to avoid or withstand hostile actions or environmental conditions while retaining the ability to fulfill their primary mission (ATP 3-37.34). Survivability operations consist of four tasks which enhance the ability to avoid or withstand hostile actions by altering the physical environment: constructing fighting positions, constructing protective positions, hardening facilities, and employing camouflage and concealment. (See ATP 3-37.34 for additional information on survivability.) Limited Visibility and Obscuration 3-80. The ability to fight at night, under limited-visibility conditions, or while employing obscuration is an important aspect of conducting maneuver. The performance of tasks and the conduct of operations under these conditions reduce risk of detection and enemy targeting. Commanders train their units under these conditions. Conducting offensive operations in these conditions can achieve surprise and make enemy visual target acquisition more difficult. They also take advantage of a friendly force’s abilities to maneuver and employ fires under limited-visibility conditions. 3-81. Tasks performed or operations conducted in these three conditions require more planning and preparation time than similar tasks conducted during daylight. They require additional control measures. Leaders ensure that the night-vision and navigation systems required to maneuver under these conditions are available and functional. Leaders rehearse these operations before execution to ensure complete integration and synchronization of their plan. 3-82. An obscurant is material that decreases the level of energy available for the functions of seekers, trackers, and vision enhancement devices (ATP 3-11.50). Commanders employ obscuration in the offense to—  Shape and control the operational environment.  Protect friendly forces.  Attack enemy forces.  Deceive enemy commanders. INTELLIGENCE 3-83. Conducting military operations requires intelligence products regarding threats and relevant aspects of an operational environment. These intelligence products enable commanders to—  Understand enemy capabilities and intent.  Visualize an operational environment.  Plan operations.  Identify and assess potential COAs.  Properly direct forces.  Employ effective tactics and techniques.  Protect friendly forces. 3-84. Generating intelligence is a continuous task, driven by unit commanders. It begins before mission receipt and provides the knowledge required for the conduct of operations. Information is obtained through intelligence reach, data mining, academic studies, open-source intelligence, and other information sources. The information and intelligence obtained are refined for use in assessments, the intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) process, and mission analysis.