1-6. In operations short of armed conflict, the United States has adversaries. An adversary is a party acknowledged as potentially hostile to a friendly party and against which the use of force may be envisaged (JP 3-0). During these operations, commanders may shape the OE with fires to promote regional stability or set conditions in the event of escalation to conflict. They may also prevent conflict, deterring the actions of an adversary escalating towards conflict by using fires to change an adversary’s risk calculus and raising the costs of continuing activities that threaten U.S. interests. For example, deploying a Patriot battery to a forward location can reduce the ability of the adversary to create effects with long range fires and demonstrate U.S. resolve to support an ally or partner.