Squadron (army) facts for kids
A squadron is a military group, often made up of soldiers, vehicles, or aircraft. Historically, it was a group of cavalry (soldiers on horseback). Today, the word "squadron" is still used for modern cavalry units. It's also used for groups in the air force and navy. In some countries, like Italy, a large cavalry unit at the battalion level is called a "Squadron Group."
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Squadrons in the United States
In the modern United States Army, a squadron is a type of military unit. It can be an armored cavalry unit (soldiers with tanks), an air cavalry unit (soldiers with helicopters), or another kind of reconnaissance unit (which gathers information). These squadrons are similar in size and role to a battalion. They are led by a lieutenant colonel.
Before the 1880s, US Cavalry regiments were divided into smaller groups called companies. A battalion was just a way to organize things when soldiers were not fighting. Later, companies became "troops," and battalions became "squadrons." These new squadrons were used for both organization and fighting.
Squadrons in Commonwealth Countries
In the British Army and many other armies in the Commonwealth, a squadron is like a company for infantry (foot soldiers) or a battery for artillery (big guns). A squadron is a smaller part of a larger group, usually called a regiment. It usually has two or more "troops" within it.
The name "squadron" is also used for company-sized units in other special groups. These include the Special Air Service, Royal Engineers (who build things), Royal Corps of Signals (who handle communications), and the Royal Air Force Regiment.
Squadrons often have names like "No. 1 Squadron" or "A Squadron." Sometimes they have names that start with letters, like "Ajax" or "Badger." They can also be named after their job, such as "519 Signal Squadron" (for communications) or "Tank Delivery Squadron." In some British Army units, squadrons are named after important historical battles. For example, the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment has a "Waterloo" Squadron. This name honors the important role cavalry played in the victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. Sometimes, squadrons are named after a special honor given to their unit.
Squadrons in France
The modern French Army has two main types of soldiers: troupes à pied (foot soldiers like infantry) and troupes à cheval (mounted soldiers like armored cavalry and transportation units). Today, the word escadron (squadron) describes a company of mounted soldiers. However, for a long time, a cavalry escadron was like an infantry battalion. Both of these units contained several companies. The escadron and battalion were used for fighting, while companies were for organization.
Since 1815, the term compagnie has been replaced by escadron in cavalry units. This change happened in transportation units in 1968.
In the "mounted arms" (like cavalry), a captain (who has three braids on their uniform) in charge of an escadron is called a chef d'escadron. This is a title, not a rank. However, their boss (who has four braids) has the rank of chef d'escadrons (with an 's' at the end). In infantry units, the equivalent rank is chef de bataillon. After 1815 (around 1826), the army started writing chef d'escadrons with an 's' for cavalry units. This showed that this officer, who used to lead one squadron (which had several companies before 1815), now led several squadrons (which were now like companies). In other mounted branches, like the gendarmerie (police force) and artillerie (artillery), chef d'escadron is still spelled without an 's'.
Squadrons in Norway
The Norwegian army uses units called eskadroner (the plural of squadron). These are usually the same size as a company. They are generally found in armored cavalry units, but not always.
The 2nd Battalion of Brigade Nord has a company-sized unit called kavalerieskadronen, or "the cavalry squadron." This unit is the main group for gathering information in the battalion. Like the mechanized infantry units, its members wear a special khaki-colored beret instead of the usual black beret for cavalry units.
The Armoured Battalion (Panserbataljonen) has most of its units called eskadroner. These include the Cavalry Squadron, the Armoured Squadron, and the Assault Squadrons. It also includes the battalion's support group, the Combat Support Squadron. The soldiers in these units are sometimes called "dragoons," which is an old name for cavalry soldiers.
The Telemark Battalion also has several units called eskadroner. These include the Armoured Squadron, the Cavalry Squadron, and the Combat Support Squadron.
The Kampeskadronen (which means "The Battle Squadron") is a squadron with two Mechanized Infantry Platoons (soldiers in CV90 vehicles), one Armoured Platoon (with Leopard 2 tanks), and a Combat Service Support Unit. Its soldiers were called dragoons and were mostly conscripted troops (people required to serve in the military). This squadron was used to act as the "enemy" in training exercises with other parts of the Norwegian Army.
Squadrons in Poland
In Poland, the word szwadron (squadron) was only used for companies of cavalry and armored cavalry before 1948. After 1948, the name has been used for armored military groups of different sizes.
Squadrons in Russia
In Russian cavalry, a squadron was called eskadron (эскадрон). It was a unit about the size of a company, usually with 120-150 horses.
Squadrons in Sweden
In the Swedish cavalry, a skvadron is a unit the same size as a kompani in the rest of the army. This is usually about one hundred men. Also, Jägar (ranger) and military police units in Sweden may have squadrons.
