All I can say is, out of 10 patrols, 6 have been something other than patrol x grid. A favourite for my benevolent Admirals
seems to be to send me to infiltrate Osaka habour. Been there twice now and died twice too.
Also dropped off supplies for soldiers fighting at Manilla and had to do photo recon of the Japanese Carrier force in some port, plus a few agent drop offs.
I'm not sure why you're not getting the variation mate, but it definitely is in there. I always choose 5000 renown, perhaps that has something to do with it? (wild stab in the dark only)
GL