Tactical formation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about military tactics. For other senses of this word see formation.

United States Navy amphibious assault ships sailing in formation for a photo opportunity. The ships would not sail this close together during combat operations.

A Tactical formation is the arrangement or deployment of moving military ground forces (infantry, cavalry, or AFVs), combat aircraft, or naval vessels. Examples of different tactical formations are arrowhead, square, single column, or line abreast. Examples of medieval or ancient formations include shield walls (skjaldborg in Old Norse), phalanxes (lines of battle in close order), and skirmishers. Examples of military aircraft tactical formations are the vee formation, echelon, the combat box, the fluid four formation, and the loose deuce formation.

A tactical formation is not to be confused with the high-level military organization; see formation.

[edit] See also

• Laager
• Close order formation

This military article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.