Which formation does not provide sufficient security if enemy contact is possible?

In reconnaissance operations, the formation chosen can significantly impact the unit's ability to engage the enemy while maintaining security. The echelon formation is designed to provide a broad field of fire and to facilitate flanking maneuvers, but it does not afford the best protection against surprise attacks from direct frontal threats.

The column formation tends to be more vulnerable to ambushes, as it places all elements in a single line, limiting their ability to respond to threats from multiple directions simultaneously. The line formation allows for maximum firepower to the front but can also be flanked, and a unit in line may struggle to adapt to sudden enemy contact. The wedge formation, on the other hand, provides a balance between visibility and mobility, ensuring that units can cover each other and respond more effectively to threats.

Therefore, while the echelon formation is useful for specific tactical scenarios, it is the one that does not provide sufficient security if enemy contact is imminent because it may lead to vulnerabilities in responding quickly to frontal assaults, giving attackers an advantageous position.