Which task is NOT a concern during area reconnaissance?

During area reconnaissance, the primary focus is on gathering information about the terrain, enemy forces, and other conditions that may affect operations. This task encompasses various elements such as locating improvised explosive devices (IEDs), assessing enemy locations, and finding cover and concealment for friendly forces.

Securing enemy strongholds, on the other hand, is not a concern of area reconnaissance. The role of reconnaissance is to observe and report rather than engage or secure positions. Securing strongholds typically falls under offensive operations where forces actively engage the enemy, which is outside the scope of reconnaissance tasks. Reconnaissance aims to provide the necessary intelligence for commanders to make informed decisions regarding future actions, while securing enemy positions is a tactical operation that happens after reconnaissance has been performed, often based on the intelligence gathered.