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 naval squadron varies greatly, the rank associated with command of a squadron also varies greatly.
A photo of Squadron in "keel line" : Squadron of battleships of the Germany class in keel line
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 typesedit
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.
The 2nd Battle Squadron of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet during the First World War. From left to right: King George V, Thunderer, Monarch, and Conqueror.
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 (SubRons).
^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. Harvard University. Philadelphia, L. R. Hamersly & co. 1881. p. 769.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
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For other uses see Squadron disambiguation This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Squadron naval news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2008 Learn how and when to remove this template message 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 naval squadron varies greatly the rank associated with command of a squadron also varies greatly A photo of Squadron in keel line Squadron of battleships of the Germany class in keel lineBefore 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 1 Command element 2 Squadron types 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksCommand element editA 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 editThere 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 nbsp The 2nd Battle Squadron of the Royal Navy s Grand Fleet during the First World War From left to right King George V Thunderer Monarch and Conqueror 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 SubRons In modern navies squadrons have tended to 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 editDivision naval References edit A naval encyclopaedia comprising a dictionary of nautical words and phrases biographical notices and records of naval officers special articles of naval art and science Harvard University Philadelphia L R Hamersly amp co 1881 p 769 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint others link Keegan John 1989 The Price of Admiralty New York Viking p 280 ISBN 0 670 81416 4 OPNAV 29 P1000 Archived from the original on 2007 10 14 Retrieved 2011 04 07 External links editSquadron GlobalSecurity org Retrieved 2009 08 30 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Squadron naval amp oldid 1120299113, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
