What is the purpose of reconnaissance by fire and when might it be used?

• A. To expose enemy positions by delivering fire to elicit a response and observe.
• B. To provide cover for movement behind smoke.
• C. To calibrate weapon sights during practice.
• D. To designate a landing zone for aircraft.

Answer: (A)

Reconnaissance by fire is a tactic where you deliberately place fire on a suspected enemy position to provoke a response. The goal is to force the enemy to reveal themselves—through return fire, movement, or muzzle flashes—and then observe from a vantage point to determine their exact location, strength, and disposition. This information helps you decide where to insert or maneuver, how to allocate fire support, or whether to bypass the position.

It's used when you need quick, actionable intelligence about where the enemy is and how they're organized, especially when you lack precise information or are approaching uncertain ground.

The other options don’t fit this purpose: smoke is for concealment or moving behind cover, not locating enemies; calibrating weapon sights is a training activity; designating a landing zone is about guiding aircraft, not discovering enemy positions.