Squadron
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or warships.
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[edit] Army
A cavalry squadron (horse or armoured) typically consists of three to five troops. In the United States Army, a squadron is the Cavalry equivalent of a battalion of infantry or artillery; it is used for Armored Cavalry and Air Cavalry units. In the British Army and many Commonwealth armies, it is the counterpart of an infantry company or artillery battery. The designation is also used for company-sized units in the Special Air Service, Royal Engineers, Royal Corps of Signals, Royal Army Medical Corps and Royal Logistic Corps, and formerly of the now defunct Royal Corps of Transport, as well as some units in the Royal Marines.
Squadrons are commonly designated using letters or numbers (e.g. No. 1 Squadron or A Squadron). In the British Army, however, it is a tradition for squadrons to also be named after an important historical battle in which the regiment has taken part. In some special cases, squadrons can also be named after a unique honour which has been bestowed on the unit (e.g. The Queen's Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force's RAF Regiment).
[edit] Aviation
An air force, army aviation or naval aviation squadron typically consists of three or four flights, with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, depending on aircraft type and air force. In the Imperial Japanese Army in the Second World War, three air squadrons were assigned to each air regiment. Some air forces (including the Royal Air Force and United States Air Force) also use the term for air force ground units. Multiple squadrons (typically three to ten) make up a wing.
In the Air Training Corps of the UK, a Squadron is a group of cadets who parade regularly.
In the Civil Air Patrol, a squadron is the basic administrative unit.
[edit] Navy
A naval squadron can be either a permanent battle formation or an ad hoc grouping of warships, typically capital ships (battleships, battlecruisers, cruisers, or aircraft carriers). In the United States Navy, several ships of a similar type, such as submarines and destroyers, are administered as squadrons.
