text: Reconnaissance
  maneuver forces, functional and multifunctional support, sustainment elements, other government agencies,
  and multinational forces observe and report civilian and enemy activity and significant changes in terrain
  trafficability. Although all units conduct reconnaissance, those specifically trained in reconnaissance
  operations are cavalry, manned and unmanned aviation reconnaissance, scouts, and special forces. Some
  branches, such as engineers, civil affairs, and chemical, have specific ground reconnaissance tasks to perform
  that complement the force’s overall reconnaissance effort. However, maneuver battalions, BCTs, divisions,
  and corps commanders primarily use their organic or attached ground and aerial reconnaissance assets, and
  their space operations, target acquisition, and intelligence elements to conduct reconnaissance operations.
  12-30. Battalion and higher echelon commanders assign missions to their reconnaissance assets based on
  the organization, equipment, and training of those assets. They know the capabilities and limitations of their
  available reconnaissance assets. This ensures the appropriate employment of these assets based on their
  capabilities. They will also augment their reconnaissance assets with enablers if they recognize that the
  reconnaissance task requires additional augmentation to be successful. Table 12-1 shows the typical nesting
  of reconnaissance and surveillance assets available at different echelons.
  Table 12-1. Typical reconnaissance and surveillance assets available
  Platoon CO/TM BN/TF BCT Division Corps
  Observation post C/T C/T C/T C/T C/T C/T
  Reconnaissance patrol C/T C/T C/T C/T C/T C/T
  Combat outpost A A C/T C/T C/T C/T
  Scout platoon A A C/T C/T
  Cavalry troop A A C/T C/T
  Cavalry squadron A A C/T A
  Chemical reconnaissance A A C/T C/T C/T
  Artillery target acquisition A C/T C/T C/T
  systems
  Air defense radar systems A A C/T C/T
  Other military information A C/T C/T C/T
  collection assets
  Air cavalry squadron A C/T C/T
  Unmanned aircraft systems A A A C/T C/T C/T
  Cavalry regiment A C/T
  Special forces and rangers A A
  Technical surveillance A A C/T C/T
  platforms
  A Echelon can routinely expect the information from that source to be made available to it.
  C/T Echelon controls or routinely tasks the asset.
  BCT brigade combat team BN/TF battalion or task force CO/TM company or team
  12-31. Commanders primarily employ a combination of manned ground and air assets supported by
  technical systems to perform reconnaissance. These assets use the strengths of one system to overcome the
  weaknesses of another. They delineate reporting procedures for all units to disseminate information gathered
  during reconnaissance that facilitates mission accomplishment.
  12-32. Commanders employ all available resources, not just reconnaissance units, to satisfy their existing
  information requirements. Joint forward observers and fire support teams report combat information.
  Forward deployed air defense units observe and report enemy aircraft and air corridors in use as well as
  supplement available air control radars. Specialized reconnaissance assets such as these will have unique
  requirements of time on objective, distance to objective, and movement. Planning and integration are required
  to ensure that requirements of the mission variables of the reconnaissance commander and the collection
  requirements are effectively balanced. Ground reconnaissance can involve assets not specifically tailored for
  the mission.