text: Chapter 3
  superior enemy force. Making contact with the smallest possible element, using redundant and different
  reconnaissance capabilities, conducting effective counter-reconnaissance, maximizing stand-off, and
  employing suppressive direct and indirect fires (when authorized) all contribute to reducing tactical risk
  while enabling the aviation reconnaissance force to retain the freedom to maneuver.
  3-82. Gain and maintain enemy contact. Using visual or technical means, the aviation reconnaissance
  force locates and maintains enemy contact with the smallest force possible to prevent initial decisive
  engagement while retaining freedom to maneuver and adequate combat power to develop the situation.
  Based on the commander’s intent and contact criteria, maintaining contact with the enemy force provides
  real-time information on the enemy’s disposition, composition, strength and actions to enable the
  commander to make timely and informed decisions based on current intelligence. Once contact is gained
  with an enemy force that does not meet bypass criteria, the aviation reconnaissance force does not
  relinquish contact until directed to, reconnaissance handover is complete, or the enemy force is destroyed
  based on engagement criteria.
  3-83. Develop the situation rapidly. As timely collection of information requirements impact the
  commander’s decisions, Army Aviation performs reconnaissance with the tempo required to meet the
  requisite urgency to answer the necessary higher commander’s information requirements. If contact is
  made with an enemy force, the aviation reconnaissance force reports immediately, conducts actions on
  contact, and develops the situation to quickly determine the composition, disposition, strength, and activity
  of the enemy prior to choosing a COA. Based on bypass criteria, engagement criteria, and reconnaissance
  handover criteria, the aviation reconnaissance force may transition to a hasty attack to destroy an enemy
  force, transition to a screen and employ direct and indirect fires. to harass and impede superior enemy
  forces then conduct reconnaissance handover to a follow-on force, or report and bypass to continue the
  reconnaissance effort if the enemy force meets bypass criteria.
  3-84. Report all information rapidly and accurately. Quick and accurate positive and negative reporting
  is essential to ensure the commander receives the necessary information to make timely decisions.
  Reporting focuses on answering the commander’s PIR. However, seldom can a PIR be answered on its own
  or in isolation. Therefore, PIR are broken down into different elements and assigned as collection tasks
  within orders. (See ATP 2-01 for further information. )
  3-85. At the ABTF/ASTF level and above, processing, exploitation, and dissemination is the execution of
  the related functions that converts and refines reported data into usable information, distributes the
  information for further analysis, and provides combat information to commanders and staffs. Processing,
  exploitation, and dissemination is the link that ensures the efficient use and distribution of information
  following collection and reporting. While performing these functions, some of the information meets the
  criteria of combat information. In those cases, the combat information is disseminated to commanders and
  staffs per standard operating procedure.
  SECTION V – SECURITY
  3-86. Security tasks are those tasks performed by the commander to provide early and accurate warning of
  enemy operations, to provide the forces being protected with time and maneuver space within which to
  react to the enemy, and to develop the situation to allow the commander to effectively use their protected
  force (ADP 3-90).
  3-87. Security tasks protect the force from surprise and reduce unknowns. The protected force ranges from
  friendly ground maneuver forces and facilities to the local population. Security tasks can be performed
  forward, to the rear, to the flanks, or entirely around the protected force, whether stationary or moving.
  3-88. The primary difference between reconnaissance and security missions is the focus of the effort.
  Reconnaissance missions focus on the enemy and terrain, while security missions focus on the force being
  protected. However, reconnaissance is inherent to all security operations. Security tasks serve as an
  economy of force to prevent the premature commitment of other combat power.
  3-89. Security tasks encompass five tasks—screen, guard, cover, area security, and local security. The
  screen, guard and cover security tasks each require increasing levels of combat power and provide