Reconnaissance is a mission to obtain information by visual observation or other detection methods, about the activities and resources of an enemy or potential enemy, or about the meteorologic, hydrographic, or geographic characteristics of a particular area.ypes of reconnaissance: 1  Terrain-oriented reconnaissance is a survey of the terrain (its features, weather, and other natural observations). 2  Force-oriented reconnaissance focuses on the enemy forces (number, equipment, activities, disposition etc.) and may include target acquisition.