Editing Patrolling (section)

==Ground patrol types==

A '''combat patrol''' is a group with sufficient size (usually platoon or company) and resources to raid or ambush a specific enemy.  It primarily differs from an attack in that the aim is not to ''hold ground''.<ref name="USMC B2H3317" />

A '''clearing patrol''' is a brief patrol around a newly occupied defensive position in order to ensure that the immediate area is secure. Clearing patrols are often undertaken on the occupation of a location, and during stand to in the transition from night to day routine and vice versa.

A '''standing patrol''' is a static patrol, probably known as an OP/LP(Observation Post/Listening post) in US and NATO terminology. Standing patrols are usually small (half section/section) static patrols intended to provide early warning, security or to guard some geographical feature, such as dead ground.

A '''reconnaissance (recce) patrol''' is a patrol, usually small whose main mission is the gathering of information. Generally speaking recce patrols tend to avoid contact, although it is not unknown for recon patrols to "fight for information".<ref name="USMC B2H3317" />

A '''screening patrol''' combines a number of patrols to 'screen' a large area. This type of patrol is used by armored formations in desert theaters, and also by ground troops operating in urban areas. A screen is generally composed of a number of static [[observation post]]s.<ref>Shelby L. Stanton, ''Rangers at War'', Ivy Books: New York (1992).</ref>

A '''contact patrol''' is similar in many ways to a reconnaissance (recce) patrol in that it both locates the position of an enemy force, and/or then maintains contact with that force. As stated above, a reconnaisance patrol generally avoids disclosing its own position if possible, whereas a contact patrol is more likely to  maintain contact with enemy forces through direct and/or indirect fire.<ref name="USMC B2H3317">{{cite book |title=USMC Patrolling Operations B2H3317 |publisher=USMC |location=Camp Barrett, Virginia |pages=7-8 |url=https://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Portals/207/Docs/TBS/B2H3317%20Patrolling%20Operations.pdf |access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref>