text: Army Aviation Operations
  3-63. The size of the area, distance to the area, enemy situation in and en route to the area, and whether the
  area will be occupied in the future drives the task organization and scheme of maneuver for the aviation
  reconnaissance force. The control measures and critical reconnaissance tasks for an area reconnaissance are
  the same as a zone reconnaissance. Figure 3-13 is an example of an air cavalry element conducting an area
  reconnaissance of terrain and man-made areas of interest.
  Figure 3–13. Air cavalry element conducts three simultaneous area reconnaissance missions
  ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE
  3-64. Route reconnaissance is a directed effort to obtain detailed information of a specified route and all
  terrain from which the enemy could influence movement along that route (ADP 3-90). The route may be a
  cross country mobility corridor, an air route, or a road, highway, or trail. The route reconnaissance provides
  information on the condition of the route, and trafficability of the route, intersecting routes or mobility
  corridors, key terrain that directly influences the route, obstacles along the route, and any friendly, enemy,
  or civilian activity along the route.
  3-65. Route reconnaissance is assigned either as a separate mission or as a specified task to a unit
  conducting a zone or area reconnaissance. Army Aviation conducts route reconnaissance with elements as
  small as an AWT/SWT using MUM-T, up to elements as large as an AC/ACT, either independently as a
  pure aviation maneuver force or a member of the combined arms team.
  3-66. The size of the aviation reconnaissance force is driven by the length of the route, complexity of the
  terrain, fidelity of the information required by the commander, the enemy situation, and the time available
  to answer the specified information requirements. If detailed information is required for route and bridge
  classification or obstacle clearance, the aviation reconnaissance force must be task-organized as a
  combined arms team.
  3-67. The commander controls the route reconnaissance with lateral boundaries on each side of the route, a
  start point at the beginning of the route, checkpoints at key intersections and turns along the route, and a
  release point at the end of the route. A line of departure is established along the route, just short of where
  enemy contact is expected and an LOA is established beyond the release point far enough out to encompass
  any terrain the enemy can use to influence the route. Additional control measures can include PLs, TRPs,
  and named areas of interest on adjacent key terrain or suspected enemy locations.
  3-68. Unless the higher commander orders otherwise, the aviation reconnaissance force executes the
  following tasks:
  * Finds and reports all enemy forces that can influence movement along the route.
  * Based on engagement criteria, clears all enemy forces that can influence movement along the
  route, within capability.
  * Determines route trafficability based on the size, capabilities, mission, and type of friendly force
  to use the route.