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In military aviation, a wing is a unit of command. In most military aviation services, a wing is a relatively large formation of planes. In Commonwealth countries a wing usually comprises three squadrons, with several wings forming a group (around 10 squadrons). Each squadron will contain around 20 planes.
Size Group[1] |
British and USN |
USAF and USMC |
USSF | Canadian[2] | French AAE | German Air Force | Italian Air Force | NATO Rank level[3] of general or commanding officer | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
÷ | Air division (no longer used) |
÷ | Air division Division aérienne |
÷ | Luftwaffendivision (no longer used) |
Divisione aerea | OF-7 | ||||
|
Group | Wing | Delta (OF-5) | Group[4] Groupe aérien (no longer used) |
Brigade Aérienne | ÷ | Brigata aerea | OF-5, or OF-6 | ||||
|
Wing | Group | Wing Escadre |
Escadre | Geschwader[5] (OF-5) | Stormo | OF-4, OF-5, or OF-6 | |||||
|
Squadron | Squadron | Squadron (OF-4) | Squadron Escadron |
Escadron | Gruppe (OF-4) | Gruppo | OF-3 or OF-4 | ||||
|
Flight | Flight | ÷ | Flight Escadrille |
Escadrille | Staffel[6] (OF-3) | Squadriglia | OF-2 or OF-3 | ||||
|
Flight | Element/Section | Section | Section | Schwarm[7] / Kette | sezione | OF-1 or OF-2 |