Uniform Aerospace Force Structure

The Uniform Aerospace Force Structure is the Aerospace Force Structure of the old Terran Commission following the Federal Forces Consolidation Act, which re-organized all aerospace assets into the Federal Navy's aerospace arm. Although different Force Structures exists, the Uniform Aerospace Force Structure has been adopted all major navies of the Known Sphere, including the superpowers, the megacorps, and the Mercenary Guild.

SECTION: The smallest element in Aerospace Force Structure, a Section consists of two or three planes, the Section Leader (the senior pilot) and her wingman or wingmen. In addition to being part of a larger force, Sections can operate semi-independently on Combat Air Patrols.

FLIGHT: For tactical flexibility, a squadron is typically organized into two or three Flights by the squadron leader. Flights, in turn, are divided into two Sections. In the squadron chain of command, the squadron commander gives orders to the flight commanders rather than to the commanders of the individual planes. A Flight is typically commanded by a Lieutenant Commander or a Lieutenant.

SQUADRON: Led by a Commander, a Squadron is the basic fighting unit of Aerospace Force Structure. Squadrons are configured to deploy as necessary, in light of situational requirements. Rather than conduct independent operations, a squadron interacts with other units to provide the synergy needed to conduct sustained and effective operations. As such, an individual squadron does not deploy by itself; it deploys along with the appropriate support and command elements.

Squadrons are assigned by the military's senior naval officer (e.g., Chief of Naval Operations, Commander of the Fleet of Akasha, First Sea Lord, etc.) The squadron is the smallest aerospace unit with both tactical and administrative duties, and each squadron includes dedicated support personnel (i.e., headquarters, mess, supply, technical, and maintenance).

Squadrons are numbered and designated by function (e.g., aerospace superiority, strike, electronic warfare, etc.). Function and the mission conditions determine the number of planes to be grouped in one squadron for maximum efficiency. A full-strength combat squadron usually contains a dozen planes.

AIR GROUP: An Air Group consists of two or more squadrons. Air Groups have a distinct mission with significant scope and are assigned to a specific vessel or installation, carrying the same number as their carrier or base. The leader of an Air Group is the Group's senior naval aviator, called the Commander Air Group (or CAG for short). An Air Group is commanded by a Captain of the Line or a Commander (the Air Group's senior squadron leader).
Note: Where the Commander Air Group and the Commander of the Group's carrier are of equal O-Level, under naval tradition, the carrier's CO is the ranking officer.

WING: Commanded by a Commodore, a Wing consists of and coordinates a given Theater or Task Force's Air Groups. A Wing Commander coordinates aerospace operations (e.g., perimeter defense, force projection, interdiction, etc.) with the Theater or Task Force Commander. The Wing is given the same number as its Theater or Task Force.