text: Reconnaissance Operations
  capabilities to conduct reconnaissance on denied and hostile areas normally inaccessible to other forces or
  assets. Special reconnaissance activities include—
  * Environmental reconnaissance.
  * Armed reconnaissance.
  * Target and threat assessment.
  * Post-strike reconnaissance.
  4-83. Commanders establish mutual liaison capacity within both the brigade and SOF to understand
  collection task prioritization and to understand associated reporting requirements and mechanisms. Special
  reconnaissance may occur prior to conventional forces entering a designated area of operations. Commanders
  and staffs must understand when, where, and why special reconnaissance operations are being conducted to
  establish unity of purpose and provide any necessary additional forces. Detailed coordination is imperative
  between SOF and conventional elements in order to support the operational element appropriately. (Refer to
  ATP 3-18.4 for more information on special reconnaissance.)
  4-84. Electromagnetic reconnaissance (ER) is the detection, location, identification, and evaluation of
  foreign electromagnetic radiations (energy) (JP 3-85). Electromagnetic reconnaissance is an action used to
  support information collection and is an element of the tactical task reconnaissance. Information obtained
  through electromagnetic reconnaissance assists the commander with situational understanding and
  decision-making. (See FM 3-12 for more information on ER.)
  SECTION III – RECONNAISSANCE HANDOVER
  4-85. A reconnaissance handover is the action that occurs between two elements to coordinate the
  transfer of information and responsibility for observation of potential threat contact, or the transfer
  of an assigned area from one element to another. A reconnaissance handover occurs between the BCT
  and other BCTs, SOF, foreign military forces, civilian agencies and organizations, or indigenous persons. A
  reconnaissance handover occurs between the BCT’s Cavalry squadron and battalion scouts, as well as
  maneuver battalions. Reconnaissance handovers could occur between manned and unmanned elements, like
  the ACS.
  PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
  4-86. Reconnaissance and security operations require the unit conducting the handover to coordinate with
  higher, lower, and adjacent units. Planning for these operations requires the reconnaissance handover
  coordination to start at the higher echelons and execute at the lowest element. A reconnaissance handover
  ensures information requirements are transferred between units to maintain initiative and tempo and to ease
  transitions. Well-planned and executed reconnaissance handovers ease transitions in plans, phases, and
  priorities of effort and mitigate information gaps between units.
  4-87. Planning for a reconnaissance handover takes place as part of a change of mission before or during
  operations. When planning before an operation, commanders review the completed plan for layered,
  redundant reconnaissance and security, using all available capabilities and units. Commanders and staff direct
  control measures, such as a reconnaissance handover line between units or potential designated coordination,
  points to facilitate ground linkup, along with other graphic control measures that aid in command and control.
  A reconnaissance handover line is a designated phase line on the ground where reconnaissance
  responsibility transitions from one element to another.
  4-88. A reconnaissance handover is typically associated with a trigger, a coordination point, or PLs
  designated as the reconnaissance handover line to ensure positive control and chain of custody from the initial
  force to the force assuming responsibility and control. A reconnaissance handover prevents gaps or seams
  from emerging that the enemy can exploit. Once handover is complete, the force transferring control either
  passes to the rear through the main body, assuming responsibility for the reconnaissance objective as a
  rearward passage of lines, or continues farther into the zone to continue their reconnaissance mission.