The act of reconnoitring (especially to gain information about an enemy or potential enemy)(noun)
WordNet. Princeton University. 2010.
Use "reconnaissance mission" in a sentence
"During a reconnaissance mission in the region between Simp’yong and Yangdok, northwest of Wonsan, Ashford’s jet, heavily loaded with ordnance, failed to pull out while making a rocket run on a truck, then flew into the ground and exploded."