text: Team Operations
  • Observing at short ranges increases the chance of detection. The enemy might use
  anti-intrusion devices and patrols near key installations. Inclement weather can reduce the
  sounds of the reconnaissance team's movement, and limited visibility favors short-range
  observation. When the team must observe at short ranges, they use every means available to
  avoid detection.
  4-82. To reconnoiter a road, the team leader selects multiple vantage points (OPs) along the road. The
  reconnaissance element reconnoiters bridges, defiles, bends in the road, and urban areas. The
  reconnaissance element reports the condition, trafficability, and width of the road; evidence of the
  enemy, obstacles; bridge and ford locations and conditions; and tunnel or underpass locations and
  dimensions.
  4-83. To reconnoiter a wood line, the reconnaissance element uses concealed routes and stealth to
  reach the wood line and avoids contact. The reconnaissance element checks for evidence of enemy
  activity such as tracks, litter, old fighting positions, mines, booby traps, and obstacles. The
  reconnaissance element determines if the woods are trafficable. The element checks all positions from
  which the enemy could observe and fire on friendly elements in open areas, then reports.
  ZONE RECONNAISSANCE
  4-84. Zone reconnaissance is a directed effort to obtain detailed information on all routes, obstacles,
  terrain, and enemy forces within a zone defined by boundaries (FM 1-02). The team obtains detailed
  information about routes, obstacles, key terrain, and enemy activities in a zone established by lateral
  boundaries. The team can use the fan, converging-routes, or successive-sectors method.
  FAN METHOD
  4-85. The team leader selects a series of ORPs throughout the zone. When the team arrives at the first
  ORP, it halts and establishes security. The team leader confirms the team's location. He then selects
  reconnaissance routes to and from the ORP. The routes form a fan-shaped pattern around the ORP
  (Figure 4-4). The routes must overlap to ensure that the team reconnoiters the entire area. Once the
  routes are selected, the team leader sends out reconnaissance elements. He keeps a small reserve in the
  ORP. For example, if the team has three reconnaissance elements, he sends two, keeping the third in
  reserve. The team leader also sends the elements out on adjacent routes. This keeps the teams from
  making contact in two different directions. After the team has reconnoitered the area (fan), the leader
  reports the information. The team then moves to the next ORP and repeats these actions.
  Figure 4-4. Fan method.