text: Information Collection Foundations
  the terrain. A zone reconnaissance may include several route or area reconnaissance missions assigned to
  subordinate units.
  Area Reconnaissance
  1-48. Area reconnaissance focuses on obtaining detailed information about the enemy activity, terrain, or
  civil considerations in a prescribed area. This area may include a town, a neighborhood, a ridgeline, woods,
  an airhead, or any other feature critical to operations. The area may consist of a single point (such as a
  bridge or an installation). Areas are normally smaller than zones and not usually contiguous to other
  friendly areas targeted for reconnaissance. Because the area is smaller, units conduct an area
  reconnaissance more quickly than a zone reconnaissance.
  Reconnaissance in Force
  1-49. A reconnaissance in force is an aggressive reconnaissance conducted as an offensive operation with
  clearly stated reconnaissance objectives. A reconnaissance in force is a deliberate combat operation that
  discovers or tests the enemy’s strength, dispositions, or reactions. This force also obtains other information.
  For example, battalion-sized task forces or larger organizations usually conduct a reconnaissance in force.
  A commander assigns a reconnaissance in force when the enemy operates in an area and the commander
  cannot obtain adequate intelligence by any other means. A unit may also conduct a reconnaissance in force
  in restrictive-type terrain where the enemy is likely to ambush smaller reconnaissance forces. The overall
  goal of reconnaissance in force is to determine enemy weaknesses. It differs from other reconnaissance
  because it is only conducted to gain information about the enemy and not the terrain.
  Special Reconnaissance
  1-50. Special reconnaissance includes reconnaissance and surveillance actions conducted as a special
  operation in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments to collect or verify information of
  strategic or operational significance, employing military capabilities not normally found in conventional
  forces (JP 3-05). Special operations forces capabilities for gaining access to denied and hostile areas,
  worldwide communications, and specialized aircraft and sensors enable them to conduct special
  reconnaissance against targets inaccessible to other forces or assets. Special reconnaissance activities
  include—
  * Environmental reconnaissance.
  * Armed reconnaissance.
  * Target and threat assessment.
  * Post strike reconnaissance.
  1-51. See JP 3-05 for additional information on these special reconnaissance activities.
  Reconnaissance Focus, Reconnaissance Tempo, and Engagement Criteria
  1-52. Commanders decide what guidance they provide to shape the reconnaissance and surveillance effort.
  In terms of guidance, reconnaissance tempo and engagement criteria most closely apply organic
  reconnaissance elements. Reconnaissance focus is also generally applied to surveillance assets, but in the
  sense of focusing a reconnaissance mission, it more closely applies to reconnaissance. Paragraphs 1-53
  through 1-59 describe these criteria in terms of reconnaissance.
  Reconnaissance Focus
  1-53. Reconnaissance focus, combined with one or more reconnaissance objectives, helps concentrate the
  efforts of the reconnaissance assets. The commander’s focus for reconnaissance usually falls in three
  general areas: CCIRs, targeting, and voids in information. The commander’s focus enables reconnaissance
  units to prioritize taskings and narrow the scope of operations. An operation may have a terrain focus
  where the status of routes, bridges, and obstacles are more important than the enemy. Conversely, the
  operation may focus on the enemy. Friendly forces must locate the enemy’s security zone, main body, and
  reserves. Additionally, commanders may express their focus in terms of reconnaissance pull and push.