2-4. Commanders require intelligence about the threat and other aspects of the operational environment before and during operations to effectively accomplish their missions. Intelligence assists commanders in visualizing the operational environment, organizing their forces, and controlling operations to achieve their objectives by answering specific requirements focused in time and space. These intelligence products enable commanders to make decisions based on all available information, identify and assess potential COAs, plan operations, properly direct their forces, and employ ethical, effective, and efficient tactics and techniques. Additionally, intelligence supports protection by alerting commanders to threats and assisting in preserving and protecting the force.