SQUADRON
squadron
(noun) an air force unit larger than a flight and smaller than a group
squadron
(noun) a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms
squadron
(noun) a naval unit that is detached from the fleet for a particular task
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
squadron (plural squadrons) (abbreviated to: sqn)
(obsolete) Primarily, a square; hence, a square body of troops; a body of troops drawn up in a square.
(military, historical, army) A body of cavalry comprising two companies or troops, averaging from one hundred and twenty to two hundred soldiers.
(military) A body of infantrymen made up of several platoons, averaging from eighty to one hundred and fifty men, and led by a captain or a major.
(military, navy) A detachment of vessels employed on any particular service or station, under the command of the senior officer
(military, air force) A tactical air force unit; consists of at least two flights; multiple squadrons make up a group or wing (depending on particular air force).
(US, military, U.S. Space Force) A spaceforce unit; multiple squadrons make up an operations delta or a support garrison.
Source: Wiktionary
Squad"ron, n. Etym: [F. escadron, formerly also esquadron, or It.
squadrone. See Squad.]
1. Primarily, a square; hence, a square body of troops; a body of
troops drawn up in a square. [R.]
Those half-rounding quards Just met, and, closing, stood in squadron
joined. Milton.
2. (Mil.)
Definition: A body of cavarly comparising two companies or troops, and
averging from one hundred and twenty to two hundred men.
3. (Naut.)
Definition: A detachment of vessels employed on any particular service or
station, under the command of the senior officer; as, the North
Atlantic Squadron. Totten. Flying squadron, a squadron of observation
or practice, that cruises rapidly about from place to place. Ham.
Nav. Encyc.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition