Which operation involves forces providing support while others move through a breach?

The operation that involves forces providing support while others move through a breach is known as an assault. In this context, an assault is characterized by a decisive attack against an enemy position, where a portion of the attacking force executes the breach of the enemy's defense, while other units provide covering or supporting fire. This tactic ensures that the assaulting forces can advance through the breach created.

The emphasis on support during this phase is crucial, as it ensures the attacking force can safely breach and exploit gaps in the enemy's defenses, giving them the opportunity to achieve tactical advantages and disrupt the enemy's operational effectiveness. This operation is commonly associated with combined arms tactics, where various types of military units work in concert to maximize their combat effectiveness.

In other types of operations, such as mobile defense, retrograde, or area defense, the focus and methodologies differ. Mobile defense emphasizes maintaining the ability to maneuver while inflicting damage on the enemy, retrograde operations concentrate on withdrawal strategies to avoid contact or regroup, and area defense focuses on holding a specific area against enemy advances, not specifically on breaching actions. Each of these operations has distinct objectives and tactics that do not align with the requirement of providing support for forces moving through a breach, which is why assault is