In what situation might "immediate suppression" be necessary?

Immediate suppression is necessary when enemy forces are actively engaging friendly troops and immediate action is required. This situation demands a rapid response to protect friendly forces from being harmed and to regain the initiative in the battle. In scenarios where friendly troops are under fire, timely fire support can disrupt the enemy's attack, provide a safe environment for maneuver, and potentially turn the tide of engagement in favor of friendly forces. Mobilizing assets for immediate suppression ensures that any threats are mitigated as quickly as possible, which is crucial for the safety and effectiveness of ground operations.

In contrast, during a planned exercise with no enemy engagement, there would be no need for immediate suppression since there is no active threat. Similarly, assessing potential targets for future operations does not require immediate actions in the moment, as this is more about strategic planning rather than tactical response. Routine maintenance of fire assets does not involve engaging enemies and therefore is unrelated to immediate responses in combat situations.