8-47. Once the reconnaissance force finds the enemy force, the fixing force develops the situation and executes one of two options based on the commander’s guidance and the mission variables. The first option is to block identified routes that the detected enemy can use to escape or interdict with reinforcements. The fixing force maintains contact with the enemy and positions its forces to isolate and fix enemy forces before the finishing force attacks. The second option is to conduct an attack to fix enemy forces in their current positions until the finishing force arrives. The fixing force attacks, if attacking meets the commander’s intent and if it can generate sufficient combat power against the detected enemy. Depending on the enemy’s mobility and the likelihood of the reconnaissance force being compromised, commanders may need to position the fixing force before the reconnaissance force enters the AO. (See FM 3-90-1 for more information on the performance of the search and attack task.)