text: Chapter 1
  in an operation. This appropriate mix of collection tasks and operations helps satisfy many different
  requirements. It also ensures that the operations and intelligence working group does not favor or become
  too reliant on one particular unit, discipline, or system. The Army has four tasks or operations it primarily
  conducts as a part of the information collection plan:
  * Reconnaissance.
  * Surveillance.
  * Security operations.
  * Intelligence operations.
  RECONNAISSANCE
  1-31. 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
  primarily relies on the human dynamic rather than technical means and it is a focused collection effort. A
  combined arms operation, reconnaissance actively collects information against targets for a specified time
  based on mission objectives.
  1-32. Successful and effective units combine three methods to perform reconnaissance: dismounted,
  mounted, and aerial. Sensors can augment each method. To gain information on the enemy or a particular
  area, units use passive surveillance, technical means, and human interaction or they fight for information.
  1-33. Reconnaissance produces information concerning the AO. Staffs perform reconnaissance before,
  during, and after other operations to provide information used in the IPB process. Commanders perform
  reconnaissance to formulate, confirm, or modify a course of action (COA). Reconnaissance provides
  information that commanders use to make informed decisions to confirm or modify the concept of
  operations. This information may concern the enemy, the local population, or any other aspect of the AO.
  Commanders at all echelons incorporate reconnaissance into their operations.
  1-34. Reconnaissance identifies terrain characteristics, enemy and friendly obstacles to movement, and the
  disposition of enemy forces and civilians so that commanders can maneuver forces freely with reduced
  risk. Reconnaissance before unit movements and occupation of assembly areas is critical to protecting the
  force and preserving combat power. It also keeps Army forces free from contact to focus on the decisive
  operation.
  Reconnaissance Objective
  1-35. Commanders orient their reconnaissance by identifying a reconnaissance objective in the AO.
  Reconnaissance objective is a terrain feature, geographic area, enemy force, adversary, or other mission or
  operational variable, such as civil considerations, about which the commander wants additional
  information. (ADRP 3-90).The reconnaissance objective specifies the most important result to obtain from
  the reconnaissance mission. Every reconnaissance mission specifies a reconnaissance objective.
  Commanders assign reconnaissance objectives based on CCIRs, reconnaissance asset capabilities, and
  reconnaissance asset limitations. The reconnaissance objective can be information about a geographical
  location (such as the cross-country trafficability of an area), an enemy activity to confirm or deny, an
  enemy element to locate or track, or civil considerations (such as critical infrastructure). The unit uses the
  reconnaissance objective to guide in setting priorities when it lacks time to complete all the tasks associated
  with a form of reconnaissance.
  1-36. Commanders may need to provide additional detailed instructions beyond the reconnaissance
  objective (such as tasks performed or the priority of tasks). Commanders issue additional guidance to their
  reconnaissance units or specify these instructions in the tasks to subordinate units in the operation order.
  For example, if a unit S-2 concludes that the enemy is not in an area and the terrain appears trafficable
  without obstacles, the commander may direct the reconnaissance squadron to conduct a zone
  reconnaissance mission. The commander may provide guidance to move rapidly and report, by exception,
  any terrain obstacles that significantly slows the movement of subordinate maneuver echelons.
  Alternatively, when the objective is to locate an enemy force, the reconnaissance objective would be that