text: FM 7-100.1________________________________________________________________________________
  SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE
  13-48. SPF are a major source of human intelligence (HUMINT), placing
  “eyes on target” in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive territory. They
  gather information to satisfy strategic and operational intelligence requirements
  at extended distances (sometimes more than 100 km) or close to tactical recon-
  naissance, in nonlinear and noncontiguous situations. Their priorities include
  • Precision weapons.
  • NBC delivery systems.
  • Headquarters and other command and control (C2) installations.
  • Reconnaissance, intelligence, surveillance, and target acquisition
  (RISTA) systems and centers.
  • Rail, road, and air movement routes.
  • Airfields and ports.
  • Logistics facilities.
  • Air defense systems.
  Once SPF teams locate such targets, they may simply monitor and report on
  activity there, or they may conduct direct action or diversionary measures.
  13-49. The SPF can train and employ affiliated forces and civilians to perform
  HUMINT activities. They may also operate in conjunction with HUMINT
  agents controlled by the Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff.
  DIRECT ACTION
  13-50. Direct action involves an overt, covert, or clandestine attack by armed
  individuals or groups to damage or destroy high-value targets or to kill or seize a
  person or persons. Examples of direct-action missions for SPF units are assas-
  sination, abduction, hostage taking, sabotage, capture, ambushes, raids, rescue
  of hostages (civilian and military), and rescue of downed pilots and aircrews. Im-
  plementation of direct-action missions depends on the size of the enemy’s defenses,
  the element of surprise, and the assets available to the SPF unit commander.
  13-51. The term diversionary measures refers to direct actions of groups or
  individuals operating in the enemy’s rear area. These measures include the
  destruction or degradation of key military objectives and the disruption of C2,
  communications, junctions, transport, and LOCs. They could include misdi-
  recting military road movement by moving road markers and generating false
  communications. They also involve killing personnel, spreading disinformation,
  destroying military hardware, and other actions to weaken the morale and will
  of the enemy by creating confusion and panic. Diversionary measures may
  contribute to the conduct of information warfare.
  MISSIONS
  13-52. While SPF belonging to other service components are designed for use
  at the operational level, forces from the SPF Command provide a regional and
  global strategic capability. Collectively, all these SPF assets can engage the
  enemy simultaneously to his operational and even strategic depth. They are
  prepared to attack enemy forces anywhere in the region, at overseas bases, at
  home stations, and even in military communities. They can attack his airfields,