Enabling Forces refer to which units and what tasks do they usually perform?

• A. Division-level support units that provide long-range artillery.
• B. BN and below units; usually conduct breaching or obstacle clearing tasks.
• C. Brigade-level air defense units.
• D. Company-level medical evacuation teams.

Answer: (B)

Enabling forces are the units whose role is to remove barriers and create the move-forwards that allow the main maneuver to succeed. They’re typically at the battalion level and below because breaching and obstacle clearing are tasks that must be closely integrated with the assault elements and carried out where the obstacle actually sits. Engineers at this level are trained to breach obstacles directly—whether by mechanical means, explosive breaching, or clearing routes through minefields, wire, or other barriers—and to establish lanes and mobility corridors for infantry and armor to pass. This direct, on-the-ground capability to open the path for the main force is what defines enabling forces in practice.

Other options pull in supporting activities that aren’t primarily about enabling movement through obstacles. Division-level fires or long-range artillery are focused on delivering fires across broader areas rather than breaching local obstacles. Brigade-level air defense protects against air threats but does not inherently perform obstacle breaching. Company-level medical evacuation provides casualty transport but isn’t the core function that enables the maneuver by opening routes or removing barriers.