I blinked and missed a scene where there was a reference to being able to send out squads into the wild to carry out missions, gather intel, etc.
There were no changes to the menu, so I carried on and completed another mission, and some side missions. I returned to base, again, but still nothing. Developed the base a bit further, but still no option to send these squads out.
I found a reference in an online guide that mentions sending these guys out quite often, and that a new screen will be present next to the missions.
Have I screwed something up? When does that become available and/or what triggers it?
Best Answer
So, it turns out I hadn't done enough of the main missions to unlock the combat platform.
The option to add a combat platform opened up for me after I completed mission 9, possibly 10. It was the one where you had to take out the three tanks.
I had already built the medical bay but don't think this had anything to do with it. Looks like the platforms unlock in order, so possibly after 7 missions complete you unlock the medbay and then after 10 the combat platform. Once unlocked the option to send out troops is very clear to see