What is typically the first step in conducting a breach operation?

The initial phase of a breach operation is crucial for ensuring the safety of the ground forces and the success of the mission. It typically begins with indirect fire and offensive air support, which plays a vital role in suppressing enemy defenses. This approach helps to disrupt and degrade the enemy's capability to respond effectively to the assault, thereby allowing ground units to advance with reduced risk.

By utilizing indirect fire and air support, commanders can create an effective suppression zone that not only neutralizes immediate threats but also provides cover for the forces preparing to breach enemy fortifications. This strategic layering of support is essential for maintaining momentum and minimizing casualties during a breach.

The other options, while important aspects of breach operations, do not represent the first step. Ground units providing direct suppressive fire focuses on immediate combat engagement rather than broader strategic preparation. The deployment of breaching equipment would occur later in the process when forces have established an opportunity to exploit the gaps created by the suppression. Lastly, assessing enemy fortifications, while important for planning, precedes the operational execution and would not be the first step during the breach.