text: Chapter 3
  unacceptably endanger the operation’s success. This allows fire support systems to target and deliver
  effectivefiresagainstthoseenemysystems.
  3-56. The most effective reconnaissance combines ground, aerial, and surveillance systems to provide
  constant coverage and multiple assessments of enemy activities throughout the objective area prior to the
  airborne assault. Surveillance is the systematic observation of aerospace, surface, or subsurface areas,
  places, persons, or things, by visual, aural, electronic, photographic, or other means (JP 3-0). The
  commanderusesavailablereconnaissance forcesandsurveillanceassets,toincludeavailablejointsystems,
  to provide information that increases the accuracy of his situational understanding during planning and
  preparation.
  3-57. The ABNAFC tasks the other warfighting functions to continue planning and preparing for the
  operation while employing service and joint fires to enable conditions. The ABNAFC requests assistance
  from higher echelons if there are not sufficient organic assets and information to accomplish the mission.
  The ABNAFC then assesses the progress of all the warfighting functions. This process repeats until the
  commander is satisfied with the set conditions or operational necessity forces him to either cancel or
  conducttheairborneassault.
  3-58. Planning considerations should encompass special operations forces. Special operations forces may
  beinsertedoralreadybeoperatingintheobjectiveareaand become keycomponentsoftheinitialeffortto
  shape and set conditions. Special operations forces regional expertise and environment preparation
  activitiessupportwellinadvanceofairborneassaultplanningandexecution.Specialoperationsforces may
  be introduced to the area well in advance of a possible assault to develop or prepare an area for airborne
  assault.
  PRESERVE CONDITIONS
  3-59. As the airborne assault extends in time and geography, extended lines of operations increase the
  assaultunit’svulnerabilitytoenemycapabilitiesdesignedtointerrupttheexpansion orreinforcementofthe
  airhead or lodgment and follow-on operations. As the ABNAF expands its influence within an area of
  operation, the ABNAF becomes the primary means of setting conditions for operations that seize the
  initiative in other contested domains. The ABNAF leverages its presence to defeat enemycapabilities that
  limitfreedomofaction.
  3-60. Continued high operational tempo and pressure preserves condition to hinder the enemy’s ability to
  regroup, reconstitute capabilities, or reconfigure forces to support new plans. A primary means of
  maintainingcontinuouspressure isthecontinuousandrapidcyclingofjointenablersandcapabilitiesunder
  operationalleveldirection.
  3-61. To rapidly transition from entry operations to follow-on operations, intermediate staging bases
  remain a critical part of baseline condition setting to: enable shorter range recycling of intra-theater lift
  capabilities, reorganization and reconfiguration of capabilities to meet evolving assault force demands and
  recalibrationofbattleandlogisticalrhythms.