Modifying the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Plan

Whether modifying reporting requirements because of new reporting criteria or because of new or modified PIR, you must be ready to change your R&S plan to fit the commander’s needs. Basically, you will have to decide:

• Where you want your R&S assets to shift their attention.
• Where you want those assets to actually move.
• What you want your assets to look for.
• How you want your assets to report.

Here is where doing your homework (IPB) ahead of time comes in handy. If most or all of your IPB products were prepared ahead of time, all you need do is review and update those products as necessary.

Looking at your updated situation templates and event templates will give you a good idea of where to shift your R&S focus, and what you should expect to see. Your updated terrain and weather products will tell you where to place your assets.

However, if you have not been able to update or produce situation and event templates, or you have advanced past your AI, you still need to mentally envision what you think the enemy will look like on the terrain, applying the effects of weather. Your mental picture will help you quickly come up with NAI and TPLs.

The next step is to retask your R&S assets. Remember, when you shift your R&S assets, their vulnerability to enemy collection and target acquisition capabilities may change.

Figure 7-2. Time phasing PIR.