text: Reconnaissance Operations
  4-45. The positioning of sustainment assets depends on the depth of the zone, anticipated duration of the
  operation, and sustainment requirements during operations. Class III, class V, maintenance collection, and
  medical evacuation are of primary concern. A forward-positioned FARP reduces aircraft turnaround time.
  The FARP may be in the squadron zone or in the area of operations of the lead unit behind the squadron.
  4-46. Dedication of additional capabilities comes at a potential cost to follow-on operations. Additional
  combat power enhances the Cavalry squadron’s ability to gain and maintain contact and execute
  reconnaissance and battle handover while providing an increased capacity to defeat enemy reconnaissance
  and security forces. Above all other considerations, an appropriately task-organized squadron has the ability
  to take advantage of situations and opportunities identified during zone reconnaissance. Seizing opportunities
  provides the BCT with a marked advantage during decisive operations. Therefore, commanders should
  carefully consider the significant risks assumed in executing reconnaissance operations as an economy of
  force without appropriately task organizing the Cavalry force.
  Note. “Reconnaissance organizations require versatility to adapt to ever-evolving tactical
  situations and operational realities. Versatility without survivability and combat power has little
  relevance. Reconnaissance units unable to survive contact with an enemy and incapable of
  overcoming even light resistance tend to be marginalized either by a threat or by their own
  commanders. Even stealthy reconnaissance requires an ability to survive a chance contact or an
  ambush that may occur with little warning.” (Cameron, page 577.)
  CAVALRY SQUADRON PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
  4-47. When developing planning guidance, Cavalry squadron commanders incorporate the BCT
  commander’s intent and concept for follow-on forces into their overall scheme of maneuver. When
  conducting all the types of reconnaissance, focus, reconnaissance tempo, and engagement/disengagement
  criteria are critical components of the commander’s reconnaissance guidance.
  4-48. The tempo and uncertainty of military operations rarely allows sufficient time to collect all the relevant
  or required information during zone reconnaissance. Therefore, commanders must focus their formations on
  specific reconnaissance objectives that validate or invalidate assumptions and confirm or deny planned
  courses of action. Prioritization allows the Cavalry squadron to increase the speed of collection and
  accomplish reconnaissance objectives in sufficient time to facilitate the main effort’s movement and
  maneuver to positions of tactical advantage. Mission analysis and IPB produces terrain analysis, enemy
  situational templates, and an event template to predict how the military aspects of terrain, mission variables,
  and civil considerations affect friendly and enemy forces. The squadron uses available information to
  prioritize tasks and determine factors, such as—
  * Speed, movement, and reconnaissance techniques.
  * Overall focus of reconnaissance.
  * Task, purpose, and focus for subordinate troops, task-organized assets, and boundaries (zones) for
  ground troops.
  * Essential aerial on-station times or locations if available.
  4-49. Commanders direct the reconnaissance tempo during zone reconnaissance to enable the timely
  collection of information and intelligence to facilitate successful subsequent operations. Commanders
  prescribe the scope to collect against specific reconnaissance objectives, and speed and movement techniques
  during different portions of the operation, task organization of reconnaissance assets to create efficient
  collection, and a timeline for collection in their planning guidance. The combination of these factors creates
  a tempo for zone reconnaissance.
  4-50. To control movement, the squadron assigns zones for the ground troops (see figure 4-1, page 4-12).
  Zone reconnaissance begins at the line of departure and concludes at a specified limit of advance (LOA) with
  lateral boundaries defining the area of operations. Subordinate zones may not be the same size. The main
  body frequently orients movement along a major route, especially an axis of advance though travelling
  directly along the route incurs tactical risk. Reconnaissance of the route becomes a specified task for a troop,
  typically. Phase lines (PLs) control progress through the zone. Boundaries and PLs are drawn along
  recognizable terrain. Contact points along boundaries maintain coordinated reconnaissance between adjacent