ADP 3-90, page 81

31 July 2019 ADP 3-90 5-1 Chapter 5 Enabling Operations The enabling operations discussed in this chapter are reconnaissance, security, troop movement, relief in place, and passage of lines. Enabling operations apply to all elements of decisive action. Other publications discuss other enabling operations. For example, FM 3-13 discusses information operations, ATP 3-90.4 discusses mobility operations, and ATP 3-90.8 discusses countermobility operations. Commanders direct enabling operations to support the conduct of the offensive, defensive, and stability operations and defense support of civil authorities tasks. Enabling operations are usually conducted by commanders as part of their shaping operations or supporting efforts. RECONNAISSANCE 5-1. Reconnaissance is a mission undertaken to obtain, by visual observation or other detection methods, information about the activities and resources of an enemy or adversary, or to secure data concerning the meteorological, hydrographic, or geographic characteristics of a particular area (JP 2-0). Reconnaissance accomplished by small units primarily relies on the human dynamic rather than technical means. Reconnaissance is a focused collection effort. Units perform it before, during, and after operations to provide commanders and staffs information used in the IPB process so they can formulate, confirm, or modify COAs. 5-2. Commanders orient their reconnaissance assets by identifying a reconnaissance objective within an AO. The reconnaissance objective is a terrain feature, geographic area, enemy force, adversary, or other mission or operational variable about which the commander wants to obtain additional information. Every reconnaissance mission specifies a reconnaissance objective that clarifies the intent of the effort and prioritizes those efforts by specifying the most important information to obtain. Commanders assign reconnaissance objectives based on priority information requirements resulting from the IPB process and the reconnaissance asset’s capabilities and limitations. As information about a specific location, such as the cross country trafficability of a specific area, a reconnaissance objective can confirm a specific activity or location of a threat. Furthermore, a reconnaissance unit uses the reconnaissance objective to guide it in setting priorities when it lacks time to complete all the tasks associated with a specific type of reconnaissance operation. 5-3. There are seven fundamentals of successful reconnaissance. Commanders—  Ensure continuous reconnaissance.  Do not keep reconnaissance assets in reserve.  Orient on reconnaissance objectives.  Report information rapidly and accurately.  Retain freedom of maneuver.  Gain and maintain enemy contact.  Develop the situation rapidly. 5-4. The responsibility for accomplishing reconnaissance does not reside solely with reconnaissance units. Every unit has an implied mission to report information about the terrain, civilian activities, and friendly and enemy dispositions. Troops in contact with an enemy and reconnaissance patrols of maneuver units, at all echelons, collect information on enemy units and activities. In echelon support and consolidation areas, reserve maneuver forces, functional and multifunctional support and sustainment elements, other governmental agencies, and multinational forces observe and report civilian, adversary, and enemy activity