text: Army Aviation Operations
  complexity and number of reconnaissance objectives, fidelity of the information required by the
  commander, the enemy situation, and the time available to answer the commander’s specified information
  requirements.
  3-52. The commander orients aviation reconnaissance operations on reconnaissance objectives within the
  designated AO. Reconnaissance objectives can be a terrain feature, geographic area, or enemy force for
  which the commander requires further information. The commander determines reconnaissance objectives
  based on PIR. Based on the capabilities of the reconnaissance force and time available to conduct the
  reconnaissance, the commander and staff further delineate the priority of tasks and information collection
  efforts to ensure the most critical information is collected to enable timely decisions. The event template,
  terrain analysis and enemy situational template create information requirements that in turn focus the
  collection effort and reconnaissance objectives.
  3-53. The commander controls the reconnaissance operation by using routes, subordinate unit boundaries,
  PLs, contact points, checkpoints, named areas of interest, fire support coordination measures, ACMs, and
  objectives. Such control measures allow for decentralized actions and small-unit initiative to the greatest
  extent possible. The reconnaissance begins at the line of departure or start point; the depth of the
  reconnaissance is controlled by using a LOA. Control measures are placed on recognizable terrain features
  when possible.
  3-54. To enable disciplined initiative in execution, the commander provides reconnaissance objectives,
  refined critical reconnaissance tasks, bypass criteria, engagement criteria and/or reconnaissance handover
  criteria, the latest time the required information is of value with date-time group, and an end state that
  defines how the reconnaissance effort influences follow-on operations. This enables the aviation
  reconnaissance force to develop and execute a reconnaissance plan that provides the required information
  within the time necessary to inform the commander’s decisions.
  3-55. Army Aviation conducts zone, route, and/or area reconnaissance, or reconnaissance in force when
  task-organized with ground maneuver forces. These forms of reconnaissance allow the commander and
  staff to understand and visualize the environment, develop the situation, create options, and identify
  opportunities to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative.
  ZONE RECONNAISSANCE
  3-56. Zone reconnaissance is a form of reconnaissance that involves a directed effort to obtain detailed
  information on all routes, obstacles, terrain, and enemy forces in a zone defined by boundaries (ADP 3-90).
  3-57. Commanders assign zone reconnaissance missions to gain detailed situational understanding when
  the enemy situation is vague and/or the understanding of the terrain is limited. Zone reconnaissance
  missions are generally large, deliberate efforts to gain a significant amount of information. The aviation
  reconnaissance force commander must balance time and assets available against the urgency and number of
  information requirements required by the higher commander to ensure the force executes with the right
  tempo and level of detail. Aviation reconnaissance forces provide the combined arms team with increased
  reconnaissance depth, and speed, as well as long-range communications and the ability to conduct
  reconnaissance in complex or no-go terrain.
  3-58. During offensive operations, a zone reconnaissance is typically oriented forward of ground maneuver
  forces along an axis of attack or axis of advance. This enables friendly forces to maneuver within the zone
  at reduced risk due to greater situational understanding of the terrain, movement routes, obstacles, and
  enemy forces. During defensive operations, a zone reconnaissance may be conducted forward of a
  defensive position to locate enemy reconnaissance or to provide the commander with terrain information on
  where to best locate friendly obstacles, targets, engagement areas, and/or counter-attack routes. During the
  defense, the zone reconnaissance typically transitions to a screen when the LOA is reached or when contact
  is made with an enemy force that is superior in size or in a position of advantage to the aviation
  reconnaissance force. However, not all zone reconnaissance missions are conducted forward of friendly
  forces. A zone reconnaissance may also be conducted to the rear or flanks of a friendly ground maneuver
  force to locate bypassed or infiltrating enemy forces or to provide the commander with greater situational
  understanding of the AO.