Covering force
A covering force is a military force tasked with operating in conjunction with a larger force, with the role of providing a strong protective outpost line (including operating in advance of the main force), searching for and attacking enemy forces or defending the main force from attack. The United States Army field manual "FM 3-90.6 Brigade Combat Team" provides the following definition of the role of a covering force: A covering force is a self-contained force capable of operating independently of the main body, unlike a screening or guard force.