ADP 3-90, page 58

Chapter 3 3-18 ADP 3-90 31 July 2019 3-113. Army forces execute combined arms operations for countering weapons of mass destruction (known as CWMD) in an opportunistic manner during offensive operations when enemy forces present targets of opportunity. Integrated teams made up of maneuver forces and enablers conduct combined arms countering weapons of mass destruction at the tactical level. These teams provide integral, required capabilities to perform countering weapons of mass destruction tasks to curtail the research, development, possession, proliferation, use, and effects of weapons of mass destruction, related expertise, materials, technologies, and means of delivery. (See ATP 3-90.40 for more information on combined arms countering weapons of mass destruction.) 3-114. Units can expect to accumulate sizeable numbers of detainees during the conduct offensive operations. To facilitate collecting enemy tactical information, military intelligence personnel co-locate interrogation teams at detention facilities. (See FM 3-63 for additional information on detainee operations.) TRANSITION 3-115. A transition occurs when a commander makes the assessment that units must change their focus from one element of decisive action to another. A commander halts offensive operations only when attacking units reach the echelon’s LOA, achieve victory and the end of hostilities, reach a culminating point, or receive a change in mission from a higher echelon commander. 3-116. All types of offensive operations that do not achieve complete victory reach a culminating point when the balance of combat power shifts from the attacking force to the defending force. Units conducting offensive operations lose momentum and may culminate when—  They suffer heavy losses of personnel and equipment.  They encounter heavily defended areas they cannot bypass.  The resupply of fuel, ammunition, and other supplies fails to keep up with expenditures.  Soldiers become physically exhausted.  Equipment repairs and personnel replacements do not keep pace with losses.  The commander determines that advancing further is detrimental to the force. (Examples of this include moving out of mutual supporting distance with adjacent units or determining that the force lacks the enablers necessary to continue the advance.) Attacking units may also slow or stop when reserves are not available to continue an advance, the defender receives reinforcements, or the defender counterattacks. Several of these causes may combine to halt an offense. When this occurs, the attacking unit can regain its momentum, but normally this only happens after difficult fighting, the commitment of additional forces, or an operational pause. 3-117. If commanders cannot achieve their objectives before subordinate forces reach their culminating points, they plan an operational pause to adjust the operation accordingly. Simultaneously, commanders attempt to prevent an enemy force from knowing when friendly forces become overextended. TRANSITION TO DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS 3-118. Commanders retain greater flexibility for defensive operations if they begin preparations before the force culminates. This may allow commanders to dictate where they conduct defensive operations. Commanders can plan future activities to aid defensive operations, minimize vulnerability to attack, and facilitate renewal of offensive operations as a force transitions to branches or sequels of an ongoing operation. For example, some of a commander’s subordinate units may move into battle positions before the entire unit terminates the offense. Commanders can echelon sustainment assets forward to establish a new echelon support area. 3-119. Commanders who anticipate a transition from offensive operations to defensive operations prepare orders to address when it occurs, what subordinate units will do, and which necessary control measures to implement. As a unit transitions from an offensive focus to a defensive focus, its commander—  Maintains contact and surveillance of enemy forces, using a combination of reconnaissance units and surveillance assets to develop the information required to plan future actions.  Establishes a security area, security force, and local security measures.