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A temporary detachment from a fleet would also be called a squadron.

In the Age of Sail, fleets were divided into van, centre, and rear squadrons, named after each's place in the line of battle. An example of this type unit was the US Navy's Asiatic Squadron stationed in China between 18 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. In effect, these are formations that are too small to be called a fleet. Like a fleet, a squadron is usually, but not necessarily, a permanent formation. A large squadron will sometimes be divided into two or more divisions, each of which might be commanded by a subordinate captain. In the United States Navy, the term squadron has always been used for formations of destroyers and submarines.Ī 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 squadron may be composed of one type of ship of various types tasked with a specific mission such as coastal defense, blockade, or minesweeping. 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. Each Royal Navy squadron alone was more powerful than most national navies. Since the size of a naval squadron varies greatly, the rank associated with command of a squadron also varies greatly.īefore 1864 the entire fleet of the Royal Navy was divided into three squadrons, the red, the white, and the blue. Groups of small warships, or small groups of major warships, might instead be designated flotillas by some navies according to their terminology. 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. A squadron is typically a part of a fleet. A photo of Squadron in "keel line" : Squadron of battleships of the Germany class in keel lineĪ squadron, or naval squadron, is a significant group of warships which is nonetheless considered too small to be designated a fleet.