Group (air force)

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Group is a term used by different air forces for an element of military organization. The size of a group varies considerably between different countries. The terms group and wing are used differently in different air forces, and this can cause confusion.

[edit] Commonwealth usage

In the Royal Air Force and most other Commonwealth air forces, a group is a formation of several units. Historically, groups directly controlled a number of wings. At the present time, groups control stations. Groups are directly subordinate to a command (or, historically, to a tactical air force). When the RAF was formed, an officer with the rank of Group Captain (equivalent to Colonel) commanded such a unit, although they have been commanded by Air Vice-Marshals since before the Second World War.

[edit] French usage

In the French Armée de l'Air, a group, or groupe, equates a squadron and as such is a type of unit.

[edit] United States usage

In the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, a group is a formation consisting of two or more squadrons. Two or more groups form a wing.