(DoD, NATO) A detachment of ground, sea, or air forces sent out for the purpose of gathering information or carrying out a destructive, harassing, mopping-up, or security mission. See also combat air patrol.
Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. 31 January 2011.
| APA | Military Dictionary (DoD). (2011). patrol. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/patrol/definitions/1963274 |
| Chicago | Military Dictionary (DoD). 2011. "patrol" http://smartdefine.org/patrol/definitions/1963274 (accessed September 21, 2026). |
| Harvard | Military Dictionary (DoD) 2011, patrol, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/patrol/definitions/1963274>. |
| MLA | Military Dictionary (DoD). "patrol" 4 April 2011. Web. 21 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/patrol/definitions/1963274> |