5-92. Clearing is a mobility task that involves the elimination or neutralization of an obstacle that is usually performed by follow-on engineers and is not done under fire (ATP 3-90.4). It is generally accomplished by destroying, altering, or removing obstacles. Clearing of a route or an area is often performed by a combined-arms force built around an engineer-based clearance unit. Clearing is conducted when a commander orders enemy obstacles to be cleared within an assigned area or along a specified route. A route clearance may include a transition to an in-stride combined arms breach, if the encountered obstacles are covered by fire and an effective breach organization is available within the task organization or can be established. Once the in-stride breach is completed and the enemy’s ability to interfere with route clearing has been neutralized, the clearing force reverts to the primary mission of route clearance. A clearing mission is not limited to reducing a lane or lanes through the identified obstacles as is the case in a breaching, since a clearing mission is focused on movement along the route or within an area rather than supporting the maneuver of a combat assault force. In route and area clearance, engineer and EOD units destroy or remove explosive obstacles that are a threat to mobility along the route or within the specified area. Routes and areas cleared are considered cleared only if they remain controlled by friendly forces. (See ATP 3-90.4 for additional information on the performance of the clearing task.)