Which of the following contributes to the risk of collateral damage in fire support?

The risk of collateral damage in fire support is significantly influenced by the quality and thoroughness of reconnaissance conducted prior to an engagement. Poor reconnaissance can lead to insufficient understanding of the target area, including the presence of non-combatants, infrastructure, and other sensitive locations. When reconnaissance is inadequate, it becomes challenging to accurately assess potential risks associated with an airstrike or artillery strike, which may inadvertently affect nearby civilians or structures, leading to unintended consequences.

In contrast, careful target selection and clear communication are practices aimed at minimizing collateral damage, while immediate artillery deployment does not account for these critical assessments and can potentially exacerbate the risk if proper procedures are not followed. Thus, the emphasis on thorough reconnaissance is essential in ensuring that fire support operations are conducted with an awareness of the surrounding environment to better mitigate the risk of collateral damage.