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Asquadron, ornaval squadron, is a significant group of warships which is nonetheless considered too small to be designated afleet. 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 aflotilla), 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 designatedflotillas by some navies according to their terminology. Since the size of a naval squadron varies greatly, the rank associated with command of a squadron also varies greatly.
Before 1864 the entire fleet of theRoyal 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 majorwarships,transport ships,submarines, or small craft in a largertask force or afleet. A squadron may be composed of one type of ship of various types tasked with a specific mission such ascoastal defense,blockade, orminesweeping. In theUnited States Navy, the term squadron has always been used for formations ofdestroyers and submarines.
A fleet is usually commanded by aflag officer such as avice admiral or arear admiral, but squadrons are sometimes commanded bycommodores or simply the most seniorcaptain (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 afleet, a squadron is usually, but not necessarily, a permanent formation.
There are several types of squadron:
In modern navies, squadrons have tended to become administrative units. Mostnavies began to abandon the squadron as atacticalformation during theSecond World War. The need to providecapital ships with theanti-submarine protection of adestroyer screen and air cover from anaircraft carrier led to the increasing use of thecarrier battle group, or ad hoctask forces, composed of whichever ships were available for a particular operation.
Aswarships have grown larger, the term squadron has gradually replaced the termflotilla for formations ofdestroyers,frigates andsubmarines in many navies.
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