Wing (air force unit) - Definition and Overview

For some other uses of the word "wing" please see Wing (disambiguation)

Wing is a term used by different air forces for a unit of command. The size of this unit varies considerably between services.

In the Canadian Forces Air Command, each wing (base) contains anywhere from hundreds to thousands of personnel.

In the United States Air Force it is a unit that is subordinate to a Numbered Air Force and consisting of a headquarters and usually four groups. It is comparable to a brigade in the US Army.

In the United States Navy it is a group of two or more squadrons of aircraft that are based on land rather than on an aircraft carrier.

In the Royal Air Force it is made up of several squadrons (typically three or four) and may also be used for ground units, including the RAF Regiment (in which it equates to a battalion).

See Also

Wing Commander