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Squadron (naval)
A squadron, or naval squadron, is a significant group
of warships which is nonetheless considered too small to be
designated a fleet. A squadron is typically a part of a
fleet.[1] Between different navies there are no clear defining
parameters to distinguish a squadron from a fleet (or from
a flotilla), and the size and strength of a naval squadron
varies greatly according to the country and time period.[2]
Groups of small warships, or small groups of major
warships, might instead be designated flotillas by some
navies according to their terminology. Since the size of a A photo of Squadron in "keel line" :
naval squadron varies greatly, the rank associated with Squadron of battleships of the Germany
command of a squadron also varies greatly. class in keel line

Before 1864 the entire fleet of the Royal Navy was divided
into three squadrons, the red, the white, and the blue. Each Royal Navy squadron alone was more
powerful than most national navies. Today, a squadron might number three to ten vessels, which
might be major warships, transport ships, submarines, or small craft in a larger task force or a
fleet. A squadron may be composed of one type of ship of various types tasked with a specific
mission such as coastal defense, blockade, or minesweeping. In the United States Navy, the term
squadron has always been used for formations of destroyers and submarines.

Contents
Command element
Squadron types
See also
References
External links

Command element
A fleet is usually commanded by a flag officer such as a vice admiral or a rear admiral, but
squadrons are sometimes commanded by commodores or simply the most senior captain (often
one and the same), depending on the importance of the command. A large squadron will
sometimes be divided into two or more divisions, each of which might be commanded by a
subordinate captain. Like a fleet, a squadron is usually, but not necessarily, a permanent
formation.

Squadron types

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There are several types of squadron:

!"Independent squadrons. In effect, these are formations that are too small to be called a fleet.
Independent squadrons may be assigned to and named after a particular ocean or sea, and
the admiral commanding the squadron may be the naval commander in chief in that theatre. An
example of this type unit was the US Navy's Asiatic Squadron stationed in China between 1868
and 1902
!"Temporary sub-divisions of a fleet. In the Age of Sail, fleets were divided into van, centre, and
rear squadrons, named after each's place in the line of battle. A temporary detachment from a
fleet would also be called a squadron.

!"Permanent battle formations. As warships

evolved during the 19th century, larger warships
began to be formed into and trained as
permanent, numbered squadrons of the same
class of warship such as the 5th Battle
Squadron of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet. U.S.
Navy squadron types have included Battleship
Squadrons, Cruiser Squadrons (CruRons),
Destroyer Squadrons (DesRons), Escort
Squadrons, Transport Squadrons
(TransRons),[3] and Submarine Squadrons The 2nd Battle Squadron of the Royal Navy's
(SubRons). Grand Fleet during the First World War. From left
to right: King George V, Thunderer, Monarch, and
In modern navies, squadrons have tended to Conqueror.
become administrative units. Most navies began to
abandon the squadron as a tactical formation
during the Second World War. The need to provide capital ships with the anti-submarine
protection of a destroyer screen and air cover from an aircraft carrier led to the increasing use of
the carrier battle group, or ad hoc task forces, composed of whichever ships were available for a
particular operation.

As warships have grown larger, the term squadron has gradually replaced the term flotilla for
formations of destroyers, frigates and submarines in many navies.

See also
!"Division (naval)

References
1. A naval encyclopædia: comprising a dictionary of nautical words and phrases: biographical
notices, and records of naval officers: special articles of naval art and science (http://archive.or
g/details/anavalencyclopd00unkngoog). Harvard University. Philadelphia, L. R. Hamersly & co.
1881. p. 769.
2. Keegan, John (1989). The Price of Admiralty (https://archive.org/details/priceofadmiralty00kee
g). New York: Viking. p. 280 (https://archive.org/details/priceofadmiralty00keeg/page/n311).
ISBN 0-670-81416-4.
3. "OPNAV 29-P1000" (https://web.archive.org/web/20071014193011/http://history.navy.mil/books
/OPNAV20-P1000/index.html). Archived from the original (http://www.history.navy.mil/books/OP
NAV20-P1000/index.html) on 2007-10-14. Retrieved 2011-04-07.

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External links
!"Squadron (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/squadron.htm).
GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2009-08-30.

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