Wing (military unit)

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.

Organizational structure of flying units in selected NATO countries, by relative size

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 aérienne (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

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