What is a deception force tasked with doing in a defensive operation?

In a defensive operation, a deception force is primarily tasked with creating misleading information for the enemy. The goal of this type of operation is to manipulate the perceptions and decisions of adversarial forces, leading them to draw incorrect conclusions about the friendly unit’s capabilities, intentions, or positions.

By generating false information or utilizing tactics such as feints, diversions, and misinformation, a deception force can create confusion and uncertainty within enemy ranks. This can lead the enemy to misallocate resources or make strategic errors, which can ultimately benefit the defensive operations of the friendly forces.

The effectiveness of a deception force is closely tied to its ability to maintain operational security and ensure that the misinformation presented is credible enough to influence enemy decision-making without exposing the true intentions or capabilities of the defending units. In this manner, deception plays a critical role in enhancing the chances of success for the defensive operation by undermining the enemy's situational awareness and attacking their confidence and planning.