8-11. When consolidating gains, establishing and sustaining security is the unit’s first priority. Without security the accomplishment of many stability tasks becomes problematic. Security operations will likely involve combat operations against enemy remnants or irregular forces fighting on or from among the local population and in remote areas, as well as criminal elements taking advantage of the lack of civil control forces in a given area. A critical consideration for Army units executing area security tasks is to avoid activities that create the perception of doing more harm than good. During the transition from large-scale ground combat to consolidation of gains, commanders may implement more restrictive rules of engagement than those used during large-scale combat operations. If commanders do not manage the application of force carefully, the perceptions of friendly forces and the local population about what constitutes acceptable levels of violence may rapidly diverge. Thus, commanders establish and maintain communications with the population to assist them in understanding the overall goal of military actions and how those actions benefit them. Capabilities such as military information support operations (MISO), public affairs, and combat camera can assist in this effort.