# Reconnaissance Operations Reconnaissance is a focused collection effort that produces combat information. Commanders frequently task the battalion with conducting reconnaissance to obtain, by visual observation or other detection methods, information about enemy activities and resources or about the meteorological, hydrographic, or geographic characteristics and the indigenous population of a particular area. Reconnaissance is performed before, during, and after other combat operations to provide information used by the battalion or ground force commanders to confirm or modify the plan. ARBs gather and report the information on which the ground force commander bases plans, decisions, and orders. An ARC is ideally suited for reconnaissance operations due to the TA capability of onboard systems, the aircraft’s armament, and extended range of communications. Reconnaissance missions are divided into four categories—route, zone, area, and surveillance. Companies may be assigned any combination of the four categories of reconnaissance missions. In most mission profiles, integration of ground and attack reconnaissance aircraft provides mutual reinforcement. For example, ground units may reinforce attack reconnaissance aircraft if the terrain offers concealment from aerial observation. However, close coordination and continuous communication between forces is critical to reduce the risk of fratricide. The distance the ARC operates from the supported unit is a function of METT-TC, but generally is forward enough to provide the ground commander time to maneuver before enemy direct fires can be brought into effect. Reconnaissance missions focus on reconnaissance objectives and set strict criteria for engagement and developing the situation in conjunction with ground forces and supporting fires. Supporting fires include indirect fire and joint fires. Nonlethal J-SEAD and EW assets should also be considered and employed whenever available. These assets support the ARC during reconnaissance operations; their availability is essential to the success of ARCs Commanders need real-time information during the execution of current operations to be precise in the maneuver and application of combat power against the enemy. A major source of near real-time information is the ARC, which is an intelligence source that can fight for information. Attack reconnaissance aircraft have decisive advantages over other intelligence resources because they― * Move quickly over inaccessible terrain to elevated positions of advantage. * Use advanced, eyes-on, long-range sensors. * Work through and may be able to counter enemy deception efforts better than any sensor system. * Provide the fastest, most reliable means of assessing terrain the enemy is trying to configure to its advantage. * Are not a passive source. Aircraft not only find the enemy but can further develop the situation and force the enemy to reveal more information. * Can more effectively disseminate information to commanders with an immediate need. Types of useful information the ARC can supply to higher headquarters in near real-time includes― * Actual size, disposition, and composition of the enemy. * Areas of strength and weakness. * Current enemy activity. * Where and when the precise application of superior combat power could have a decisive effect. * Best route to an objective. * Location of friendly forces *** ## Fundamentals Reconnaissance is the precursor to all operations and may be accomplished through passive surveillance, technical means, human interaction, or by fighting for information. Successful reconnaissance operations are planned and performed according to the following seven reconnaissance fundamentals: * Gain and maintain enemy contact. * Orient on the reconnaissance objective. * Report all information rapidly and accurately. * Retain freedom to maneuver. * Develop the situation rapidly. * Ensure maximum reconnaissance force forward. * Ensure continuous reconnaissance. ### Gain and Maintain Enemy Contact Contact is any condition ranging from an initial sighting during surveillance to physical contact while engaging in close combat. Contact reduces the threat's ability to achieve surprise. The degree of contact desired is determined before the mission begins. Once contact is made, it is not voluntarily broken; orders must be received to break contact or be defined in the bypass criteria of the OPORD. To do otherwise could risk the survival of the unit because gaining and regaining contact are inherently risky endeavors. The threat or location must be continuously monitored until the requirement is met or contact is handed over from one observer to the next. Attack reconnaissance aircraft report information immediately and continually update the commander on the tactical situation. ARCs may maintain visual contact from a distance, or it may engage with company aircraft or supporting fires. ### Orient on the Reconnaissance Objective Orient on the location or movement of the reconnaissance objective. The objective may be a terrain feature, control measure, locality, or a threat force. Aerial reconnaissance orients on the objective and positions itself to retain freedom of maneuver. Units remain focused on reaching the reconnaissance objective regardless of what is encountered during the mission. When time, unit capabilities and limitations, or threat action prevents a unit from accomplishing all the critical tasks for a particular form of reconnaissance, the unit uses the reconnaissance objective to focus the reconnaissance effort. If the threat force is moving, the unit adjusts the scheme of maneuver to maintain orientation on the threat. ### Report all Information Rapidly and Accurately Attack reconnaissance units work to report all information rapidly and accurately. Delayed, inaccurate, or misdirected information may lead to missed opportunities or poor decisions. Information that initially appears unimportant may become valuable when combined in context with other data. ARCs must acquire and report accurate and timely information on the threat, civil considerations, and terrain and weather that could impact friendly operations. Knowing a threat force is not in one location can be just as important as knowing it is in another. Combat information is extremely time sensitive; information loses its relevance as it ages. ### Retain Freedom to Maneuver ARCs must retain the ability to maneuver to successfully complete their missions. The ARC obtains information by stealth when possible, but fights as necessary to accomplish the mission. Overwatch, suppressive fires, cunning, and constant awareness of the tactical situation help retain freedom to maneuver. Decisive engagement occurs when the company is fully committed and cannot maneuver or extricate itself. If the ARC is decisively engaged, reconnaissance stops and a battle for survival begins. Attack reconnaissance teams must have clear commander’s guidance concerning engagement, disengagement, and bypass criteria that support the maneuver commander’s intent. To prevent decisive engagement, teams must employ proper movement and reconnaissance techniques, and use overwatching fires and SOPs. Initiative and knowledge of both the terrain and threat reduces the likelihood of decisive engagements and helps maintain freedom of movement. Prior to initial contact, the ARC adopts a combat formation designed to gain contact with the enemy with the smallest friendly element possible. This provides the company with the maximum opportunity for maneuver and enables it to avoid having the entire unit become decisively engaged. The IPB process can identify anticipated areas of likely threat contact. Using indirect fires to provide suppression and obscuration, as well as to neutralize or destroy point targets, is a technique ARCs use to retain their freedom of maneuver.. ### Develop the Situation While conducting reconnaissance, ARCs frequently encounter tactical situations requiring immediate actions on contact and rapid situation development. These tactical dilemmas may concern terrain obstructions or threat activities. If an obstacle is encountered, the attack reconnaissance unit must determine the type and extent of the obstacle, and whether it is covered by fire. Obstacles can provide information concerning the location of threat forces, weapon capabilities, and organization of fires. If a threat force is encountered, the ARC determines its size, composition, disposition, activities, and movement. In most cases, the attack reconnaissance team developing the situation immediately employs actions on contact by deploying to cover, reporting, maintaining observation, and developing the situation. Reconnaissance techniques, often in the form of battle drills, are used to rapidly develop the situation to maintain tempo and not relinquish the initiative to the threat. The ARC develops the situation based on the OPORD, unit SOP, or the commander's intent. There are situations based on attack guidance and terrain when it may be more appropriate to immediately develop the situation (for example, conduct a direct fire engagement) rather than deploy to cover. ### Ensure Maximum Reconnaissance Force Forward Attack reconnaissance assets are most valuable when providing essential operational environment information. The optimal number of intelligence-gathering assets should be employed in the reconnaissance effort. To do this, the assets must be positioned as far forward as METT-TC, combat support, and sustainment factors allow with maximum UAS integration. This does not mean company assets are always arrayed in a linear fashion. Depth is essential, especially in restricted terrain or a contaminated environment. ### Ensure Continuous Reconnaissance Effective reconnaissance is continuous and conducted before, during, and after all operations. Moreover, maintaining continuous reconnaissance is critical during transition operations. Before an operation, reconnaissance focuses on filling gaps in information about the threat and terrain. During an operation, aerial reconnaissance focuses on providing updated information verifying the enemy’s composition, dispositions, and intentions as the battle progresses. This allows the ground force commander to verify which COA is actually being adopted by the threat and determine if his plan is still valid based on actual events in the AO. After an operation, aerial reconnaissance focuses on maintaining contact with the threat to determine its next move and collecting information necessary for planning subsequent operations. As a minimum, reconnaissance is conducted continuously as an integral part of all security missions, including the conduct of local security for forces not in contact. Extended operations, both distance and duration, require ARC commanders to develop crew rest plans to maintain a continuous reconnaissance effort. All company assets, to include Soldiers and systems, used in the reconnaissance effort need time for rest, resupply, TLP, and maintenance services and checks. The commander must determine not only where, but also when, he will need his maximum reconnaissance effort and adjusts fighter management and maintenance plans to ensure adequate assets are available at critical times and places. Detailed and disciplined crew rest plans are critical to attack reconnaissance operations. To be effective, these plans must be nested with the current battle rhythm and enforced by the personal example and supervision of the company command group. *** ## Planning Consideration The ARC must receive additional detailed instructions beyond the reconnaissance objective, such as the specific tasks the higher commander wants accomplished or the priority of tasks. Higher commanders accomplish this when issuing commander’s guidance and publishing instructions in the OPORD tasks to subordinate units. This guidance is an extension of the commander’s intent and is designed to focus the ARC commander’s efforts in relationship to the battalion mission. The higher commander’s essential reconnaissance guidance should, as a minimum, include— * Focus. z Tempo. * Engagement/bypass criteria. * Air limits of advance (LOAs). * Transition operations guidance ### Reconnaissance Focus The reconnaissance focus enables the company commander to determine the priority of tasks and specific critical tasks the company needs to accomplish. It allows the commander to narrow the unit’s scope of operations to get the information most important to battalion or BCT operations. The focus might be terrain-oriented or threat-oriented. In stability operations or civil support operations the focus may be on local civilian sentiment or identifying local paramilitary leaders. While all critical tasks have some degree of applicability in any given operation, certain ones are more important for specific missions. This has to be clearly articulated. Given a specified amount of time, the company accomplishes its specified critical tasks, then accomplishes other tasks as directed by the higher commander. The focus of the reconnaissance is clearly linked to answer CCIR, support targeting, and provide other relevant information. To determine the reconnaissance focus, commanders identify specific information requirements and indicators required to answer the CCIR. Reconnaissance is also focused to detect events that trigger targeting (both lethal and nonlethal effects). The focus may require reconnaissance to pull infantry or armor units to favorable locations for direct fire engagements. The focus may push reconnaissance to acquire HPTs for indirect fires. The focus may also require obtaining information to trigger employment of an attached CA team to contain a civil disturbance. Finally, in addition to links to CCIR and targeting, the reconnaissance focus may require the ARC to provide additional RI to fill information gaps, support C2, and support the higher headquarters scheme of maneuver. In summary, the reconnaissance focus provides the purpose of assigned reconnaissance missions. To answer CCIR, support targeting, and provide other RI in the current operational environment, reconnaissance focuses on more than just the threat and terrain. Regardless of the environment (cities, jungle, mountains, desert, densely forested hills, or coastal plain) or weather conditions, detailed, current, and accurate information about the terrain, threat, and increasingly societal and infrastructure factors is a must. Understanding the multiple dimensions of reconnaissance focus is paramount to the ARC performing reconnaissance in full spectrum operations. The dimensions of reconnaissance focus are outlined below in broad categories—terrain, threat, society, and infrastructure. ### Terrain Detailed and accurate knowledge of the ground, regardless of weather conditions, is a prerequisite to the operational and tactical success of any operation. To conduct effective offensive and defensive operations, as well as stability and civil support operations, combined arms commanders of conventional forces must know the current condition of highways, roads, trails, streets, alleys, buildings, bridges and underpasses, ford locations, and approaches that will support bridging operations. Commanders must know the locations and types of physical and manmade obstacles along a chosen path of maneuver, and the trafficability of the ground for suitability to support cross-country movement of dismounted and/or mounted forces. A focused aerial reconnaissance provides a better terrain analysis than a map analysis normally. ARCs reconnoiter and analyze terrain as it pertains to both friendly operations and threat military operations. Terrain-focused reconnaissance evaluates the military aspects of the terrain (observation and fields of fire, avenues of approach, key terrain, obstacles and movement, and cover and concealment \[OAKOC]) and provides valuable feedback to the commander on the feasibility of his scheme of maneuver. Reconnaissance also includes the effect of weather on the military aspects of the terrain. The side best understanding and exploiting effects of terrain has the greatest chance of success In the past, attack reconnaissance units have not focused on urban terrain. In fact, reconnaissance doctrine has focused on identifying bypasses around urban areas rather than reconnaissance in, over, under, and through them. Increased urbanization and the nature of asymmetric warfare suggest threat elements will use urban terrain in an attempt to mitigate the conventional superiority and exploit vulnerabilities of the United States. Today and in the future, ARCs must reconnoiter and analyze aspects of complex and urban terrain. They must analyze terrain not only in its traditional role, but also as it might apply in a stability or civil support environment as key terrain in these operations may be a religious or cultural monument or a historic geographical boundary or town. ### Threat Equally critical to the success of offensive and defensive operations, and to a degree, stability operations, is having detailed knowledge of the threat. Commanders must know the threat’s size, strength, location, disposition, and supply condition. They must understand what the threat is postured to do and actually capable of doing relative to the terrain and existing weather conditions. Furthermore, commanders need to know the state of the threat and Soldiers’ morale, strength of will, and determination to fight. This knowledge can only be gained by direct, physical contact with the threat and active capture and interrogation of prisoners. This information enables a commander to discern his opponent’s strengths, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities. From this determination, he can decide when, where, and how to employ the power of his combined arms team and supporting joint/combined forces to accomplish his mission. Force protection is a byproduct of threat analysis. The attack reconnaissance unit no longer faces a single, monolithic, or well-defined threat. During the cold war, planning centered on confronting numerically superior armored threats in Europe, the Far East, or southwest Asia. Today’s ARC must be able to conduct full spectrum operations against threats ranging in size from major regional powers to asymmetric threats. The threat may include conventional forces, insurgents, paramilitary forces, guerrillas, criminal groups, certain civilian groups and individuals, or a combination of all these forces. The threat no longer conforms to uniformly echeloned operations with disciplined formations and time-distance relationships. Potential adversaries may use a variety of hybrid doctrine, tactics, and equipment. It is extremely important to quickly identify the nature of the threat in a given operational area. Attack reconnaissance units will increasingly focus on determining the nature of the threat as opposed to just specific dispositions and locations. Threat-focused reconnaissance will have to also consider the impact of prevalent societal factors and indigenous infrastructures on the nature of the threat. ### Society (Social/Human Demographics) The reconnaissance focus, especially in stability and civil support operations may be the societal factors of the assigned AO. Gaining an awareness of how the society impacts military operations and how military operations impact the local society are critical to planning, appropriate and timely commander decisions. The center of gravity during operations may be the civilian inhabitants themselves. To gain and/or retain the support of the population, commanders must first understand the complex nature and character of the society. Second, they must understand and accept that every military action (or inaction) may influence, positively or negatively, the relationship among the urban population, the threat and Army forces, and by extension, mission success. Without the support of the society or the understanding of its needs, the society may become a threat to United States military operations or may support threat operations. With this awareness, commanders can plan operations, implement programs, and/or take immediate action to maintain support of a friendly populace, or neutralize or gain the support of hostile or neutral factions. Elements or factions of a society may be a threat to United States forces. A mob demonstrating against United States military presence could impact military operations and consequently be a specific focus for reconnaissance. Refugees clogging routes United States forces may want to use for combat operations can pose a threat. A focus may then be to identify these groups (and the leaders of these groups) allowing the commander to decide to use lethal or nonlethal effects to deal with the problem. ### Infrastructure The infrastructure is those systems that support the inhabitants and their economy and government. Destroying, controlling, or protecting vital parts of the infrastructure can isolate the threat from potential sources of support. Because these systems are inextricably linked, destroying or disrupting any portion of the urban infrastructure can have a cascading effect (either intentional or unintentional) on the other elements of the infrastructure. To successfully operate in an area, the attack reconnaissance unit must understand the local infrastructure. The unit must understand it physically in terms of utilities, transportation, and food availability as well as the many other products that enable a community to operate. Units must also understand the local community, political, and governmental structure. This includes religious, military, and paramilitary, such as local security and police forces that work independently from one another. The company must develop a general understanding of these organizations—how they fit into the community at large and how they relate to one another. A reconnaissance mission focused on infrastructure considers these factors: * **Communications** * Wireless, telegraph, radio, and television. * **Transportation and distribution** * Highways and railways (to include bridges, tunnels, ferries, and fords); cableways and tramways; ports, harbors, and inland waterways; airports, seaplane stations, and heliports; and mass transit. * **Energy** * Systems providing power to the urban area and consisting of industries that produce, store, and distribute electricity, coal, oil, and natural gas. This area also encompasses alternate energy sources such as nuclear, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal. * **Commerce** * Area includes business and financial centers (stores, shops, restaurants, marketplaces, banks, trading centers, and business offices) and outlying industrial/agriculturalfeatures (strip malls, farms, food storage centers, and mills) as well as environmentally sensitive areas (mineral extraction areas and chemical/biological facilities). * **Human services** * Includes hospitals, water supply systems, waste and hazardous material storage and processing, emergency services (police, fire, rescue, and emergency medical services), and governmental services (embassies, diplomatic organizations, and management of vital records, welfare systems, and the judicial system). The loss of any of these often has an immediate, destabilizing, and life-threatening impact on the inhabitants. ### Reconnaissance Tempo The established reconnaissance tempo enables the company to synchronize associated time requirements with unit battle rhythms, planning time, movement formations, and reconnaissance techniques. When developing the reconnaissance tempo, the commander should consider the following questions: * What specific bypass criteria are acceptable in terms of risk and feasible considering the tempo of reconnaissance operations? * Is it deliberate or hasty? * How much time is allotted in the battlefield geometry to accomplish the reconnaissance mission? * How will changing the tempo of the reconnaissance affect the information gathered (for example, a deliberate reconnaissance may require increased time for the team to gather required information on the objective while maneuvering for protection)? * When does the main body initiate movement and how much time separation between them and reconnaissance forces is desired? ### Engagement Criteria When developing engagement criteria, the company commander should consider the following questions: * What are the ROE? * What available lethal and nonlethal means are authorized and when? * What is a company fight? * What weapon system is used to engage what target type? Engagement criteria establish what the company is expected to engage and what it is expected to hand over to the follow-on ground maneuver unit. Conversely, by understanding what the BCT requires/expects the company to engage, coupled with his understanding of the threat’s most likely COA, the company commander is able to identify the company’s engagement criteria. This enables the company commander to focus certain weapons systems or to develop EAs and plan for the destruction of specified threat elements if encountered. ### Bypass Criteria The higher headquarters commander establishes bypass criteria to control the tempo of operations and at the same time to mitigate force protection risks. Bypass criteria must be clearly stated and dependent on the factors of METT-TC. Frequently, the standard bypass criteria are not the same for BCTs and battalions. If the ARC is required to conduct a deliberate reconnaissance, then the bypass criteria are likely to be more restrictive. If the ARC is required to conduct a hasty reconnaissance, then the bypass criteria are likely to be more liberal. ### Limit of Advance Criteria Higher headquarters commanders need to carefully plan LOAs to take advantage of ARC capabilities and to facilitate transition to future operations. When developing the reconnaissance LOA, the commander should consider the following questions: * Where is the BCT’s coordinated fire line (CFL)? If possible, locate the LOAs so ARC can acquire indirect fire targets beyond the CFL. * Is the LOA placed on terrain to optimize employment of ARC standoff acquisition and engagement systems? * Is the LOA located to best enable transition operations? * Are LOAs planned to extend TA and early warning? ### Transition Operations Guidance Often the endstate described in the higher headquarters commander’s intent is focused on the endstate for the BCTs conducting decisive operations. Reconnaissance transition guidance is needed to provide a word picture of the endstate for reconnaissance. To conduct contingency planning, ARCs need to know what type of reconnaissance and security or other economy of force missions are anticipated to set conditions for successful transition and future operations. ARCs may continue with some form of reconnaissance or transition to a form of security—a screen to protect the main body during consolidation and reorganization. ARCs need to be prepared to assist in exploitation or pursuit operations. Commander’s transition guidance for reconnaissance will focus future planning, especially concerning sustainment requirements. ### Reconnaissance Techniques When tasked to conduct reconnaissance operations, the ARC can split its area into team zones depending on METT-TC. Use of waypoints on the aircraft’s situational display to visually define the reconnaissance zone simplifies the reconnaissance effort. Use of the mast-mounted sight and TA designator sight to prepoint NAIs at maximum standoff and overwatch team/platoon/company members adds depth to the zone. Because of its ability to conduct long range observation, the ARC is placed forward, and if possible, to the flanks of ground elements, adding depth to the commander’s zone. To increase operational tempo, the ARC focuses its reconnaissance effort on areas that impede ground movement. ### Actions on Contact Actions on contact are a series of steps the company takes when it encounters a threat force or situation that warrants or demands action. Actions on contact are important because they allow the company to maintain its tempo of operation by rapidly developing the situation and taking action before the threat can gain the initiative and force the company to react. At company, platoon, or team level, actions on enemy contact consist of the following three steps: * Deploy to cover and report. * Maintain contact and develop the situation. * Choose a COA. * Recommend or execute a COA. While the team that makes contact executes actions on contact, the commander must continue to maneuver the remainder of the unit to ensure a clear picture of the enemy situation across the entire unit front. The following steps demonstrate the actions taken by the team in contact. ### Deploy to Cover and Report **Scout weapons team action** The team that makes initial contact with the threat immediately conducts basic combat maneuvering, suppresses as necessary, and deploys to terrain that affords them both cover and good observation. It may not always be possible to deploy to cover and maintain observation, especially in complex terrain. Depending on METT-TC, the team may have to continuously maneuver to maintain contact and develop the situation. Figure 3-5, displays a basic technique for maintaining contact during various reconnaissance or area security operations. The tactical lead orients onthe objective and develops the situation while the wingman provides cover. Teams vary their pattern, speed, and altitude as necessary depending on obstacles and threat. As soon as possible, the commander/team leader should send a SITREP to higher headquarters.
### Maintain Contact and Develop the Situation #### **Team Action** The team in contact further identifies the threat. The team maneuvers to determine the threat’s size, composition, orientation, and exact location of weapon systems. The team may also use the reconnaissance-by-fire method to determine the threat’s tactical intentions. However, this method should be conducted with indirect-fire assets when possible to avoid revealing the aircrew’s position. The team leader and/or commander needs to establish indirect and/or direct fire control measures to control fires. To determine if the threat can be supported by any other forces, the team should search for threat flanks and all adjacent terrain. The team identifies good counterattack routes into the flanks or rear of the threat. Once the team leader determines the extent of the situation, he forwards a follow-up SPOTREP. #### Choose a Course of Action Team Action: Once the enemy situation has been developed, the team leader determines the best COA within the commander’s intent, concept of the operation, and team’s capabilities. Resuming the mission as soon as possible is normally the main criteria for COA selection. The possible COA may be— * **Hasty attack** * The team leader can conduct a hasty attack if the target meets the engagement criteria for the mission, and the team possesses sufficient combat power to defeat the threat quickly. In most cases, the team does not have the capability to defeat a threat in prepared positions and is normally under specific instructions not to become decisively engaged. * **Bypass** * If the team chooses to remain undetected and continue the reconnaissance mission, the team may maneuver to bypass the enemy. The team leader must receive the commander’s permission (either verbally or as stated in the OPORD) to bypass any elements. * **Hasty screen** * If the team cannot conduct a hasty attack and cannot bypass, it establishes a hasty screen and maintains contact through observation. The team concentrates on maintaining contact with the threat by fixing it in place with indirect, or possibly direct, fire until additional support comes from the company or other unit. * **Support by another team** * The team in contact may conduct a BHO for a hasty attack by another team, if available. #### Recommend or Execute a Course of Action The commander, depending on the situation, must approve or disapprove the recommended COA based on its effect on the mission. The overriding considerations in selecting a COA are the intent of the higher commander and the unit’s ability to complete the mission with minimum losses. The decision to conduct a hasty attack requires the commander and/or team leader to conduct hasty attack planning. This planning can consist of the following: * Select an ABF or SBF position, if applicable. * Define the EA. * Define the target. * Determine the method of engagement. * Establish criteria for success. * Establish a trigger point. * Divide the EA for company and/or team level fire coordination establishing control measures for direct and/or indirect fire planning. * Coordinate for CAS, JAAT, and artillery. * Deconflict direct and indirect fires with ground units. * Plan the BHO. * Coordinate the change to sustainment requirements (for example, adjust weapons loads and adjust relief-on-station rotation). This type of hasty planning should be incorporated into unit SOPs and battle drills *** ## Capabilities The ARB’s tactical mobility, observation, and independent combined arms capability provides relevant and fresh information on the threat, terrain, and infrastructure as needed to conduct full spectrum operations. At the tactical level, combat information is often sufficient and more desirable than analyzed intelligence under time-sensitive close combat situations. The ARCs will always be responsive to the commander to shape the battle, answer CCIR, protect the main body, support TA and secure rear areas or LOCs, or fight for critical information. They can fight for information or perform reconnaissance missions. In addition, they facilitate their commander’s battle rhythm and tempo, and provide combat information and support to close combat in real time. The ARC’s ability to conduct reconnaissance is a function of the enemy situation (especially enemy AD and direct fire systems), terrain in the AO, weather conditions, and the logistics support availability. Without augmentation, a company has the capability to reconnoiter up to two routes continuously or three routes simultaneously for limited periods. It can conduct a zone reconnaissance, terrain dependent, of an 8 to 10 kilometer-wide zone at an average rate of 10 kilometers per hour. The rate depends on route complexity and desired detail. *** ## Reconnaissance Methods The three reconnaissance methods at the ARC level are aerial, reconnaissance-by-fire, and dismounted. The company commander and/or team leader may use any method or combination of methods to accomplish the reconnaissance mission under the considerations of METT-TC, and the higher commander’s intent and guidance. Aerial reconnaissance may also include conducting coordinated reconnaissance forward of a ground element. When conducting reconnaissance forward of ground troops, coordination must take place to prevent fratricide. Refer to FM 17-95 for more information. ### Aerial Reconnaissance Methods The ARC uses this method in most of its reconnaissance efforts. It is characterized by— * The need for rapid reconnaissance. * The use of aircraft systems to acquire targets or reconnaissance objectives at maximum standoff distance. * Use of onboard video imagery to acquire the combat information. * Low probability of enemy air defense artillery (ADA) threat. * The integration of aerial reconnaissance assets and sensors with forward ground elements to accelerate reconnaissance tempo and movement. * The requirement to maintain reconnaissance over extended distances. he advantages of aerial reconnaissance are available firepower, maneuverability, advanced optics, navigational aids (NAVAIDs), and communication capabilities. The disadvantages are the larger overall signature and exposure of aircraft. Aerial reconnaissance tasks include— * Conduct as part of integrated air-ground (and eventually manned/unmanned) team to– „ * Avoid meeting engagement. „ * Develop the situation out of contact. „ * Identify HPTs. „ * Enable freedom of maneuver. „ * Enhance force protection. * Orchestrate employing off-board and on-board R\&S assets along with man-in-loop observation to see first and understand first. * Apply fundamentals of reconnaissance. * Execute actions on contact to fix, destroy, or disengage as required. ### Reconnaissance-By-Fire Reconnaissance-by-fire is a method employed to find specific threat locations. When conducting reconnaissance-by-fire, the ARC places direct and/or indirect fire on suspected threat positions. The intent of reconnaissance-by-fire is to cause the threat to move or return fire, thus to disclose its exact location. This technique is appropriate when time is critical and stealthy maneuver to further develop the situation is not possible. The fires may be either direct, indirect, or a combination. The advantages of indirect fire are it does not give away friendly locations and usually causes the threat to displace from the impact area. An integrated J-SEAD plan around flight routes and BPs is a primary example of indirect reconnaissance-by-fire. The disadvantages are it effects obscure observation and should not be used in close proximity to friendly units, structures of tactical or political importance, and noncombatants. Reconnaissance by fire may not cause a seasoned or prepared threat force to react. Reconnaissance by fire is always characterized as aggressive. * The commander may use reconnaissance by fire when— * Situation meets liberal engagement criteria. * Time is critical. * A threat position is suspected. „ * Natural or manmade obstacles. * Obvious kill zone. * Signs of recent enemy activity. * „Future friendly positions (BP/ABF/SBF/AA/HA) prior to occupation. * Threat locations are known The reconnaissance by fire technique has other advantages and disadvantages. It is more advantageous with a poorly disciplined threat that will likely react when engaged. The disadvantages of reconnaissance-by-fire are the obvious loss of surprise, exposing the location of the firing element, and the possibility of becoming decisively engaged. When the ARC employs this technique, the available weapons are normally used in the following priority: * Indirect fire. * Machine gun and/or rockets. * (Hellfire) missiles last. In such circumstances, the ARC’s limited organic firepower normally requires employing indirect fire as the primary means of engagement. ### Dismounted Reconnaissance Under extreme circumstances, the ARC commander may direct aircrews to conduct dismounted reconnaissance when information is required on a specific reconnaissance objective (close reconnaissance of obstacles, evaluation of bridges, and/or evaluation of ford or crossing sites). This method is time intensive, can place the aircraft in a vulnerable position, and does not make the best use of aircraft systems. The commander may direct or expect aircrews to execute dismounted reconnaissance when— * Time is available. * Detailed information is required. * Organic or supporting ISR sensors have already gained initial contact. * Bypass criteria is restrictive. * Low probability of enemy contact. *** ## Forms of Reconnaissance The commander uses one of four forms of reconnaissance to further refine the scope of specified tasks and give the company mission spatial relationship. The four forms of reconnaissance are route, zone, area, and surveillance. ### Route Reconnaissance A route reconnaissance is conducted to obtain information about a specific route and all adjacent terrain from which the threat could influence movement along the route. The reconnaissance may be oriented on a road, axis, air route, specific LOC, railway, cross-country mobility corridor, or general direction of advance or attack. It provides new or updated information on route conditions such as obstacles and bridge classifications and threat and civilian activity along the route. The route reconnaissance may be performed as part of an area or zone reconnaissance. The mission is best accomplished by the company employing attack reconnaissance teams with ground elements. Augmenting the attack reconnaissance team with UH-60s to transport infantry, ground scouts, or engineers can speed the reconnaissance effort. These elements gather information about the designated route and all adjacent terrain from which a threat could engage friendly forces with direct fires. The air teams begin the operation and reconnoiter to the front, flanks, and rear providing early warning, uncovering ambushes, and providing overwatch so the ground elements can concentrate on conducting a reconnaissance of the route. An air team element may periodically be required to dismount and physically inspect key terrain, if the situation allows. A route may be too long for the company to reconnoiter without rotating teams through a FARP. When the commander does so, at least one team is maintained in zone. The ground force, if available, commands the route reconnaissance. ### Critical Tasks The following are critical tasks for a route reconnaissance: * Reconnoiter all terrain the threat can use to dominate movement along the route. * Overwatch ground elements, especially in built-up areas. * Access trafficability of the route. * Locate sites for constructing hasty obstacles to impede threat movement. * Reconnoiter all defiles along the route for possible ambush sites and locate a bypass. * Locate a bypass around built-up areas, mines, obstacles, barriers, and contaminated areas. * Locate suitable landing sites and zones and hazards to flight (suspected enemy AD locations, mountainous areas, wires, large bodies of water, open terrain, and other natural and manmade features). * Find and report all threats that can influence movement along the route. * Identify suspicious items along the route (IEDs, VBIEDs, or ambush sites). * Identify existing or potential civilian use of route. * Identify threat’s ability to deny use of route through use of civilian interference. * Identify and classify all bridges, overpasses, underpasses, and culverts that might restrict access. * Locate fords and crossing sites in proximity to the route. * Report route information, to include providing a sketch map or a route overlay. ### Permission Planning Before conducting a route reconnaissance, the ARC must know certain information about the route. This information includes— * Critical tasks to be accomplished by air reconnaissance teams and ground elements, when used. Any tasks that may be deleted during the reconnaissance are identified. * Task organization. Any reinforcements, especially engineers, and their relationship to the company are identified. Supporting artillery relationships are also defined. * Start point, RP, and designation of the route. * Mission to be performed to the start point and after reaching the RP. * Time the mission is to start and, if required, to be completed. * Critical points along the route identified as checkpoints. * IPB information on the route and threat situation. * Any constraints or restrictions. * Expected weather conditions for the time of movement. * Type of unit or vehicles expected to use the route, if applicable. * Time of day or night the route is expected to be used, if applicable. Control Measures Control measures for a route reconnaissance create an AO for the air reconnaissance teams conducting the reconnaissance. Typical company boundaries include— * **Lateral boundaries** * Placed on both sides of the route, far enough out to allow reconnaissance of all terrain from which the threat could dominate the route. * **Line of departure (LD)** * Placed perpendicular to the route short of the start point. This allows adequate space for the teams conducting the reconnaissance to deploy into the chosen movement technique prior to the start point. The LD creates the rear boundary of the AO. * **Limit of advance** * The LOA is placed far enough beyond the route’s RP to include any terrain from which the threat could dominate the route. The LOA also provides greater depth and takes advantage of the aircraft’s elevated observation platform and long range acquisition capability. * **Coordination points or contact points** * Coordination points or contact points are included to enable proper flank coordination. The start point and a RP define that section of the route where the teams collect detailed information. * **Phase lines (PLs) and checkpoints** * Added to maintain coordinated reconnaissance, control movement, or to designate critical points. * **Additional fire distribution and FS coordinating measures.** * Included to coordinate indirect and direct fire as necessary. All of the above graphic control measures are placed along or on recognizable terrain features and, if possible, are identifiable from both the ground and air to assist in air-ground coordination. Figure 3-6, shows an example of a typical company’s route reconnaissance graphics. When time is not available, ground assets are not available, or the mission does not require detailed information, air reconnaissance teams may conduct a hasty route reconnaissance. In this case, information gathering is limited to the type of route (X—unlimited or all weather, Y—limited or fair weather, or Z—poor weather) and obstacle limitations (maximum weight, height, and width). The commander may also identify certain additional information to be gathered. ARCs should keep records on all routes reconnoitered. Several methods are acceptable for recording this information. One method is to assign each key terrain feature (bridge, fording site, bypass site) a number on the map and detail the intelligence information on a separate work sheet. This method ensures completeness and simplicity and reduces map clutter. The use of the video recorders to document areas of interest along the route provides superior combat information to the requesting headquarters. If the video/data recorder is used, planning must be conducted to return the video/data to the requesting headquarters, and crews must use a standardized video reconnaissance technique to clearly associate terrain with the targets portrayed on the video image. A plan must be developed to transmit images and data to the requesting headquarters ### Air Route Reconnaissance The principles of an air route reconnaissance are the same as for a ground route, but the areas of interest are different. Aviation forces moving along an air route are primarily concerned with the location of enemy forces, ease of navigation, suitable landing sites and zones, and hazards to flight. Hazards to flight include suspected enemy AD locations, mountainous areas, wires, large bodies of water, open terrain, and other natural and manmade features
### Zone Reconnaissance A zone reconnaissance is a directed effort to obtain information concerning all routes, obstacles (to include CBRN), terrain, and enemy forces within a zone defined by boundaries. The boundaries of a zone are restrictive, unlike those of an area reconnaissance, which are permissive. ARCs require permission from the ground commander to extend their reconnaissance outside of the zone’s boundaries. It is the most time-consuming of the reconnaissance missions, so the company must allow for adequate time to plan and execute. A zone reconnaissance is frequently conducted over an extended distance, which dictates special considerations for team employment (example, FARP rotations). Figure 3-7, provides an example of company zone reconnaissance graphics.
The purpose may be to find the enemy or suitable avenues of approach for the main body. A zone reconnaissance is normally conducted when existing knowledge of the terrain is limited, combat operations have altered the terrain, or when the enemy situation is vague. Obstacles encountered during a zone reconnaissance may include manmade obstacles (both existing and reinforcing), terrain obstacles, bridges and fords, and obstacles created by CBRN contamination. Every route within the zone must be reconnoitered unless otherwise directed. The zone to be reconnoitered is defined by lateral boundaries, a LD, and an objective or LOA. Considerations for organizing a zone reconnaissance are the same as for organizing a route reconnaissance except that multiple teams operate abreast during the zone reconnaissance. The company may be tasked to conduct the zone reconnaissance alone or in conjunction with ground forces. Generally, when working with ground forces, the ARC performs a well coordinated zone reconnaissance forward of the ground forces and reconnoiters terrain not assessable to the ground elements. If time is critical, the ARC performs the reconnaissance alone with the understanding that the combat information obtained will be less detailed. If the company expects significant threat forces to be found within the zone, then the company must plan for dedicated FS assets and be prepared to conduct a BHO with ground forces. **Critical Tasks** The ARC conducting a zone reconnaissance performs the following tasks in accordance with its capabilities and limitations. If a company does not have the time or resources to complete all of these tasks, it must inform the commander assigning the mission. The higher commander will then issue further guidance concerning tasks the company must complete or the priority of tasks. The priority of tasks is usually consistent with the reconnaissance objective. If the company discovers during execution of the reconnaissance it cannot complete an assigned task, it must report and await further instructions. Zone reconnaissance tasks are— * Find and report all threat forces within the zone. * Clear all threat forces in the designated AO within the company’s capability. * Find suitable covered and concealed ground or air avenues of approach. z Reconnoiter terrain within the zone. * Determine the trafficability of all terrain within the zone, including built-up areas. * Locate and determine the extent of all contaminated areas in the zone, to include bypasses. * Identify and classify all bridges, defiles, overpasses, underpasses, and culverts in the zone. * Locate any fords, crossing sites, or bypasses for existing and reinforcing obstacles (including built-up areas) in the zone. * Determine the presence of significant adverse weather. * Overwatch ground elements during obstacle clearance operations. * Report the above information to the commander directing the zone reconnaissance, to include providing a sketch map or overlay. ### Premission Planning Before departing on the mission, the team leader and aircrews select checkpoints and plan routes between checkpoints, using terrain and vegetation to conceal aircraft movement. The team leader also coordinates to ensure specific tasks for support of the ground force commander are integrated into the reconnaissance plan. Specific tasks assigned to attack reconnaissance teams working with ground forces include— * Reconnoitering terrain not easily accessible to ground vehicles. * z Checking key points in zone (NAIs developed by higher and at company level). * z Locating and reporting the flanks of encountered enemy forces. * z Locating, reporting, and bypassing obstacles. * z Locating, reporting, and bypassing enemy positions. * z Providing security on the far side of obstacles while ground forces reconnoiter and clear them. When a company conducts a zone reconnaissance in nonrestrictive terrain, it can operate up to 10 kilometers forward of ground forces due to the quality of communications, TA capability of onboard systems, and the aircraft’s armament. Close coordination and continuous communication between forces is critical to reduce the risk of fratricide. ### Control Measures The company commander assigns boundaries between platoons/teams to specify sectors of responsibility. After establishing sectors, the company develops other control measures to include— * Designating a LD and specifies a crossing time. * Designating PLs as needed to control and coordinate forward movement. * Failure to keep company elements abreast may result in the bypass of enemy elements, envelopment of supported ground forces by enemy forces, or engagement of friendly forces. Like boundaries, PLs should follow features easy to recognize, particularly for night operations or periods of limited visibility (smoke, haze, and fog). * Establishing contact points, coordination points, and checkpoints to ease essential coordination between adjacent platoons. Contact points are designated on boundaries to ensure physical coordination between adjacent teams. Contact points are designated at― * Points that ensure proper coverage of the zone. „ * Critical points (such as a route crossing from one sector into another). * Points that ease movement, lateral coordination of fires or positions, passage of lines, or logistics support. Platoons are assigned the responsibility of planning for the reconnaissance within the platoon sectors. Teams select the method of reconnaissance, mode of terrain flight, and movement technique based on the IPB with specific emphasis on hazards to navigation and threat ADA. Starting with the LD, the teams reconnoiter each sector in a systematic manner based on terrain, number of aircraft in the team, and the width of the sector. The teams reconnoiter from the LD to the objective or LOA. Air reconnaissance teams report reaching PLs and continue in zone as directed. Once the operation begins, the enemy may be alerted to the movement of friendly forces. Forward momentum should be continued to gain and maintain enemy contact and to keep the enemy off balance. ### Area Reconnaissance The purpose of an area reconnaissance is to gather intelligence or conduct surveillance of a specified area. The area may be key terrain, a farm, bridge, ridgeline, wooded area, proposed AA, LZ, or other features that will be critical to an operation. The specified area to be reconnoitered is designated by boundary lines enclosing the area. METT-TC determines the movement technique the air reconnaissance team uses to reach the area and the method by which the area is systematically reconnoitered. The air reconnaissance team also reconnoiters dominant terrain outside the specified area from which the threat can influence friendly operations. The company commander may divide the area into platoon zones with designated objectives for each platoon. The flanks of the overall objective area are secured first; reconnaissance efforts may then be focused inward. The air reconnaissance teams may establish a screen on the flank to provide security for the ground reconnaissance forces, if used. The air reconnaissance teams may have to dismount and physically reconnoiter a specific area. #### Critical Tasks During an area reconnaissance, the following critical tasks may apply: * Reconnoiter specific terrain within the area and dominant terrain outside the specific area from which the threat can influence friendly operations. * Find and report all threat within the area. * Find suitable cover and concealed ground or air avenues of approach. * Reconnoiter all terrain within the area and assist ground forces with built-up areas. * Determine significant adverse weather. * Locate a bypass around built-up areas, obstacles, and contaminated areas. * Inspect and classify all bridges, overpasses, underpasses, and culverts within the area. * Locate fords and crossing sites near all bridges in the area. * Locate all mines, obstacles, and barriers in the area within its capability and overwatch ground units in their clearance. ### Premission Planning The commander first considers the factors of METT-TC. Rapid movement to the objective is important, but the main consideration usually is security. Avoidance of known threat locations and threat surveillance elements is imperative. Primary and alternate routes to the objective area are selected based on security and speed. Terrain flight techniques are used to move to the area. Upon completion of the reconnaissance, the air reconnaissance team departs the area on a different route. ### Control Measures The commander directing an area reconnaissance mission specifies the area for reconnaissance with a single continuous line to enclose the area to reconnoiter. Alternatively, he may designate the area by marking lateral boundaries, LD, and LOA. An area reconnaissance mission always specifies the route to take in moving to the area. The company conducting the area reconnaissance mission can use control measures for a zone reconnaissance within the AO to control the operation of the air reconnaissance teams. Figure 3-8, is an example of company graphics for an area reconnaissance
### Landing Zone or Pickup Zone Reconnaissance LZ/PZ reconnaissance is a type of area reconnaissance performed to determine the suitability for air assault operations. Principal concerns are determining if threat forces are present and can bring direct fires on the LZ/PZ and evaluating the physical characteristics of the area. LZ/PZ reconnaissance looks for predetermined, specific intelligence requirements. The company should receive, at a minimum, information on the ground force’s objective, planned actions after landing, the time of the air assault or air movement, and number and type aircraft in each lift. The air reconnaissance team evaluating the LZ/ PZ should conduct a survey and create a sketch of the area with pertinent information (figure 3-9). The air reconnaissance team should also include video and/or digital pictures, if possible.
#### Critical Tasks Air reconnaissance teams evaluate and make recommendations of the following tactical considerations: * **Mission** * Whether the LZ/PZ will facilitate the supported unit’s ability to accomplish the mission. * **Location** * Whether the LZ/PZ meets the commander’s intent for distance from the objective. * **Security** * The force required to provide security during the assault. Technical characteristics of the LZ/PZ include— * Landing formations. * Obstacles and hazards in the landing area and vicinity. * Number and type of aircraft the LZ/PZ can support * Ground slope of the landing area. * Load suitability. * Approach and departure directions. * Size of the available landing area. * Surface condition, including brown-out or white-out characteristics, of the landing area. * Vulnerability If meteorological conditions observed during the reconnaissance are expected to be present during the air assault, reconnaissance elements assess the impact of― * z Ceiling and visibility. * Density altitude. * Winds. #### Premission Planning When conducting premission planning for a LZ/PZ reconnaissance, the company uses the same planning considerations as with the area reconnaissance—rapid movement to the objective is important, but the main consideration is security. Primary and alternate routes to the objective area are selected based on security and speed. Terrain flight techniques are used to move to the area. Upon completion of reconnaissance, reconnaissance elements depart the area on a different route. Long range observation should be used whenever possible to reduce the threat’s ability to determine the reconnaissance objective. If a flyover is required in a hostile environment, crews must be able to collect the desired information rapidly while flying over an area only once, if possible, but never from the same direction twice. ### Aerial Surveillance Although primarily a mission for UAS, the ARC may be tasked with conducting surveillance. Aerial surveillance is defined as systematic observation to obtain detailed information of a specific target or area. The focus of surveillance is generally a point target such as a house, car, section of road, or any other defined area with specific threat indicators to trigger PIRs. ARCs use the same fundamentals to conduct surveillance as with any reconnaissance mission. When performed by the ARC, surveillance is normally overt in nature with the purpose of deterring enemy movement or activity. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://229.gitbook.io/229-hub/knowledge/attack-reconnaissance-helicopter-operations/employment/reconnaissance-operations.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.