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, 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:
During World War II, the main body of the British Home Fleet regularly sortied into the Norwegian Sea to provide a heavy covering force to protect Arctic convoys from attack by German warships stationed in occupied Norway. The Battle of Driniumor River also provides an example of a covering force action.
