text: Operations During Armed Conflict
  (cid:122) Countermobility.
  (cid:122) Mobility.
  RECONNAISSANCE
  6-134. Reconnaissance is a mission undertaken to obtain, by visual observation or other detection methods,
  information about the activities and resources of an enemy or adversary, or to secure data concerning the
  meteorological, hydrographic, or geographic characteristics of a particular area (JP 2-0). Reconnaissance
  occurs continuously in all domains. Reconnaissance identifies terrain characteristics, obstacles to mobility,
  the disposition of enemy forces, and the relevant characteristics of the civilian population. It facilitates
  mobility and prevents surprise. Reconnaissance prior to unit movements and occupation of assembly areas is
  critical to protecting friendly forces and preserving combat power. Units perform reconnaissance to make
  contact with enemy forces on favorable terms. Leaders at every echelon emphasize the importance of
  reporting and rapidly updating digital and analog systems. (See ADP 3-90 for more information on
  reconnaissance.)
  6-135. There are seven fundamentals of successful reconnaissance operations. They are—
  (cid:122) Ensure continuous reconnaissance.
  (cid:122) Do not keep reconnaissance assets in reserve.
  (cid:122) Orient on reconnaissance objectives.
  (cid:122) Report all required information rapidly and accurately.
  (cid:122) Retain freedom of maneuver.
  (cid:122) Gain and maintain enemy contact.
  (cid:122) Develop the situation rapidly.
  6-136. There are five types of reconnaissance operations. They are—
  (cid:122) Zone reconnaissance.
  (cid:122) Area reconnaissance.
  (cid:122) Route reconnaissance.
  (cid:122) Reconnaissance in force.
  (cid:122) Special reconnaissance.
  6-137. Zone reconnaissance is a type of reconnaissance operation that involves a directed effort to obtain
  detailed information on all routes, obstacles, terrain, and enemy forces within a zone defined by boundaries
  (ADP 3-90). Commanders assign a zone reconnaissance when they need additional information on a zone
  before committing other forces.
  6-138. Area reconnaissance is a type of reconnaissance operation that focuses on obtaining detailed
  information about the terrain or enemy activity within a prescribed area (ADP 3-90). This area may consist
  of a single location, such as a town, a ridgeline, a forest, an airhead, a bridge, an installation, or any other
  critical operational feature such as obstacles. (See ADP 3-90 for more information on area reconnaissance.)
  6-139. Route reconnaissance is a type of reconnaissance operation to obtain detailed information of a
  specified route and all terrain from which the enemy could influence movement along that route (ADP 3-90).
  The route may be a road, highway, trail, mobility corridor, avenue of approach, or axis of advance. The
  reconnaissance effort provides new or updated information on route conditions, such as obstacles and bridge
  classifications, and enemy, adversary, and civilian activity along the route. (See ATP 3-34.81 for more
  information on route reconnaissance, route classification, and the classification of features along routes.)
  6-140. A reconnaissance in force is a type of reconnaissance operation designed to discover or test the
  enemy’s strength, dispositions, and reactions or to obtain other information (ADP 3-90). Battalion-sized task
  forces or larger organizations usually conduct a reconnaissance in force. Commanders assign this operation
  when an enemy force is operating within an area, and they cannot obtain adequate information about the
  enemy force by other means.
  6-141. Special reconnaissance is reconnaissance and surveillance actions conducted as a special operation
  in hostile, denied, or diplomatically and/or politically sensitive environments to collect or verify information