text: Chapter 12
  Tasks Associated with the Performance of an Area Reconnaissance
  12-51. Units performing an area reconnaissance perform the following tasks within capability (unless
  otherwise ordered):
  * Confirm or deny commander’s PIRs.
  * Reconnoiter specific terrain in the area.
  * Find and report all enemy forces within the area.
  * Determine the trafficability of all terrain in the area, to include built-up areas.
  * Locate and determine the extent of all contamination in the area.
  * Inspect and classify all overpasses, underpasses, defiles, and culverts.
  * Locate fords or crossing sites near all bridges in the area.
  * Inspect and classify all bridges in the area.
  * Locate a bypass around built-up areas, obstacles, and contamination in area.
  * Locate any bypasses for existing obstacles in the area.
  * Locate and clear all mines, obstacles, and barriers in the area.
  * Report reconnaissance information.
  Organization of Forces for an Area Reconnaissance
  12-52. Considerations for the organization of forces for an area reconnaissance are the same as organizing
  a zone reconnaissance. (See paragraph 12-47.) The overall commander of those units performing the area
  reconnaissance establishes a maneuver reserve if that individual expects units to encounter significant enemy
  forces. This reserve needs adequate combat power to reinforce decisively engaged reconnaissance forces. A
  tank-heavy company team normally performs this task for a cavalry squadron of an armored BCT.
  Commanders ordering the performance of an area reconnaissance provide their reconnaissance elements with
  adequate fire support assets that move with those elements if the areas they are reconnoitering are located
  beyond supporting range of their main bodies.
  Control Measures for an Area Reconnaissance
  12-53. Figure 12-2 is a sketch showing that commanders control an area reconnaissance using the same
  control measures as in a zone reconnaissance. The primary difference between an area and a zone
  reconnaissance is that a zone reconnaissance typically involves larger areas than those associated with the
  performance of area reconnaissance. Units conducting area reconnaissance can further divide their assigned
  area with additional lateral boundaries to define subordinate unit assigned areas. These subordinates’
  assigned areas are not necessarily the same size.