scouting mission
Advance information patrol
A scouting mission is an expedition to gather information before committing to a larger action.
Military scouts reconnoiter enemy positions; a scouting mission might also survey terrain, assess resources, or evaluate conditions: We did a scouting mission to check out the neighborhood before signing the lease.
The term emphasizes preliminary investigation rather than engagement.
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- recon teamMilitary surveillance squad
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- intelGathered espionage data
espionage · covert ops · stealth · night vision · binoculars · terrain · lay of the land · enemy · enemy lines · covert · advance · infiltration · observation · mapping · perimeter · lookout · ranger · operative
- Expeditionsexpedition, Antarctic expedition, Arctic expedition, expeditions, Arctic exploration
- exploratory missionsMars rover, Voyager, Arctic expedition, space probe, pathfinder
- Reconnaissancerecon, recce, observation, recon team, lookout
- missionschurch planting, apostle, convert, apostleship, evangelization
scouting missionfull-scale assault
combat mission · frontal assault · combat operation · raid · invasion
scout, scouting, scouts, scouted, mission, missions, missionary, missionaries, emissary