Which patrol type is generally part of a strategy to gather intelligence?

The contact patrol is primarily focused on gathering intelligence about enemy forces and their activities. This type of patrol is designed to make contact with the enemy, observe their movements, collect information, and assess the current situation. By allowing the patrol to engage or simply observe, it can provide valuable insights into enemy capabilities, intentions, and possible tactics. The overarching goal is to enhance situational awareness and support decision-making for subsequent operations.

In contrast, the other patrol types serve different primary purposes. An ambush patrol aims to surprise and attack an enemy force, rather than to gather intelligence. A security patrol is responsible for ensuring the safety of an area and can include reconnaissance, but its main goal is to provide security rather than direct intelligence gathering. A raid patrol is an offensive operation intended to strike a specific target for destruction or capture, focusing on tactical goals rather than intelligence collection. Therefore, contact patrols stand out as the dedicated means of gathering intelligence in a patrol strategy.