squadron
Pronunciation: /ˈskwɒdrən/
noun
- an operational unit in an air force consisting of two or more flights of aircraft and the personnel required to fly them.
- a principal division of an armoured or cavalry regiment, consisting of two or more troops.
- a group of warships detached on a particular duty or under the command of a flag officer.
- informal a large group of people or things: he immediately commissioned a squadron of architects
Origin:
mid 16th century (originally denoting a group of soldiers in square formation): from Italian squadrone, from squadra 'square'