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A-43. An avenue of approach is an air or ground route of an attacking force leading to an objective or key terrain. Avenues of approach are classified by type (mounted, dismounted, air, or subterranean), formation, and speed of the largest unit traveling on it.
A-44. The leader groups mutually supporting mobility corridors to form an avenue of approach. If he has no mutually supporting mobility corridors, then a single mobility corridor might become an avenue of approach. Avenues of approach are classified the same as mobility corridors. After identifying these avenues, the leader evaluates each and determines its importance.
A-45. Offensive considerations the leader can include in his evaluation of avenues of approach:
- How can I use each avenue of approach to support my movement and maneuver?
- How will each avenue support movement techniques, formations and, once we make enemy contact, maneuver?
- Will variations in trafficability force changes in formations or movement techniques, or require clearance of restricted terrain?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of each avenue?
- What are the enemy’s likely counterattack routes?
- What lateral routes could we use to shift to other axes, and which could the enemy use to threaten our flanks?
- How will each avenue of approach affect the rate of movement of each type force?
A-46. Defensive considerations the leader can include in his evaluation of avenues of approach:
- What are all likely enemy avenues into my area of operations?
- How can the enemy use each avenue of approach?
- What lateral routes could the enemy use to threaten our flanks?
- What avenues would support a friendly counterattack or repositioning of forces?
Next: A-47: Key Terrain
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