Which area is the commander intends to contain and destroy the enemy force with the massed effects of all available weapons and systems?

• A. Battle Position
• B. Engagement Area (EA)
• C. Phase Line (MCM)
• D. Objective (OBJ)

Answer: (B)

An engagement area is the geographic area where a commander plans to concentrate the enemy’s destruction by bringing the massed effects of all available weapons and systems to bear. The purpose is to channel and fix the enemy within a zone where fires from direct and indirect weapons, air, and sensors can be synchronized to destroy him. This area is defined with boundaries, sectors of fire, and kill zones so that multiple systems can cover the approach and potential avenues of march, maximizing lethality and reducing the enemy’s ability to escape or maneuver.

This concept differs from a battle position, which is a defensive place chosen to hold and deny the enemy; from an objective, which is the end state or target area to seize; and from a phase line, which is a control line used to coordinate actions across units during a phase rather than a designated fight zone for massed fires.