In operations conducted during hostilities, or war, occupation and expansion of the lodgement areas may require a forced entry and immediate combat operations. If the threat has the capability of using NBC weapons, the use of these weapons during this phase may provide him with the greatest payoff against US forces. Combat forces and supporting forces will be sequenced into the area of operations to gain and sustain the initiative while protecting the force. When deploying elements include units such as light infantry divisions, they require chemical unit augmentation from corps assets. The requirements for entry operations following deployment will vary with each operation.
Unopposed entry is favored.
Here deploying units flow through air or sea ports into lodgement areas. Typically entry operations during operations other than war will be unopposed An opposed entry would require combat in order to land the deploying forces in the theater. The vulnerability of entry forces to weapons of mass destruction are acute during the initial entry stage. Force protection is critical. Chemical staffs and units will play a key role in providing force protection.