text: Fighting for Intelligence During Large-Scale Combat Operations
  ⚫ Route reconnaissance is a form of reconnaissance operation to obtain detailed information of a
  specified route and all terrain from which the enemy could influence movement along that route
  (FM 3-90). The route may be a road, highway, trail, mobility corridor, AA, 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.
  ⚫ Reconnaissance in force is a form of reconnaissance operation designed to discover or test the
  enemy’s strength, dispositions, and reactions or to obtain other information (FM 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.
  ⚫ 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 of strategic or operational significance, employing military capabilities not normally
  found in conventional forces (JP 3-05). Special reconnaissance provides an additional capability
  for commanders and supplements other conventional reconnaissance and surveillance actions.
  8-54. Table 8-1 shows the echelon/type of unit that can conduct the types of reconnaissance operations.
  Table 8-1. Types of reconnaissance operations and dedicated reconnaissance units
  Type of Scout Troop or Cavalry
  Air cavalry BCT Division SOF
  reconnaissance platoon company squadron
  Zone X X X X X
  Area X X X X X
  Route X X X
  Reconnaissance in X
  X X
  force (if reinforced)
  Special X
  BCT brigade combat team SOF special operations forces
  8-55. Reconnaissance is a focused collection effort. During any type of reconnaissance, the commander may
  require information about a specific aspect of the AO. To obtain this information the commander may direct
  a specific focus task that typically requires using an organization uniquely trained and equipped for the
  mission. The following include focus tasks:
  ⚫ Electromagnetic reconnaissance is the detection, location, identification, and evaluation of
  foreign electromagnetic radiations (JP 3-85). Electromagnetic reconnaissance supports
  information collection at brigade and higher echelons using assigned EW personnel and
  capabilities. Information obtained through electromagnetic reconnaissance assists the
  commander with situational understanding and can support SIGINT activities. Electromagnetic
  reconnaissance may result in EP modifications or lead to an EA against enemy capabilities.
  Regarding the EMS, commanders use electromagnetic reconnaissance assets to identify enemy
  attempts to regain the initiative, readjust targeting priorities and fire support plans, and keep
  adversaries on the defensive. (See FM 3-12.)
  ⚫ Engineer reconnaissance includes missions to obtain information about the infrastructure,
  terrain, or threat. This may include data on obstacles, gap crossing sites, airfields, bridges,
  tunnels, roads, and trails. Engineer units do not have designated reconnaissance teams. Engineer
  reconnaissance is directed and task-organized based on mission requirements using assets that
  would otherwise support other engineer missions. (See ATP 3-34.81.)
  ⚫ CBRN reconnaissance includes missions to obtain information on suspected or confirmed
  CBRN threats and hazards in an assigned area. CBRN reconnaissance identifies indicators of
  enemy CBRN production or employment, and indicators related to civilian or industrial facilities
  that could be weaponized or produce hazards when damaged or destroyed. (See ATP 3-11.37.)
  ⚫ Civil reconnaissance is a targeted, planned, and coordinated observation and evaluation of
  specific civil aspects of the environment such as areas, structures, capabilities, organizations,
  people, or events (JP 3-57). Civil reconnaissance verifies or refutes civil information, supports
  OE assessments, and detects and monitors changes in the civil component. It is conducted over
  time through routine engagements and patterned civil observations using active and passive
  sensors, virtual sensors, and other means. (See FM 3-57.)