What term is used when a team moves as part of a formation in a combat environment?

The term "patrol" is used when a team moves as part of a formation in a combat environment because it specifically refers to a group operating together to carry out reconnaissance, security, or offensive actions. In military contexts, a patrol is typically tasked with collecting information, ensuring area security, or engaging the enemy while moving in a tactical formation. This movement is essential to maintain cohesion and tactical advantage, ensuring that the team can respond to threats effectively while leveraging the strengths of their formation.

The term "squad" refers to a smaller team within the larger military structure, often part of a patrol, but does not itself encapsulate the broader operational movement in a combat scenario. "Unit" is a more general term that can refer to any organized body of military personnel but lacks the specific connotation of movement in formation. "Detachment" typically refers to a portion of a larger unit that has been separated for a specific mission or task, rather than indicating formation movement in a combat operation. Hence, "patrol" is the most appropriate term among the choices provided.