Squadron leader

A squadron leader is a senior officer rank used by many air forces around the world, especially in countries that have historical British influence. This rank originated from the Royal Air Force and is an important position in air force structures.

Squadron leader sits between two other ranks: it is a step above flight lieutenant and below wing commander. This rank is usually similar to the rank of lieutenant commander in the navy and to the rank of major in other services.

In some women's branches of the air force in the past, such as the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, Women's Royal Air Force, and Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service, the equivalent title was "squadron officer." The term "squadron leader" has also been used in other ways, such as a cavalry command in the UK and France, and in Argentina it is used for both army cavalry and air force flying units.

Canada

See also: Canadian Armed Forces ranks and insignia

The rank of squadron leader was used in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1920 until 1968. That year, the Canadian Forces changed, and army-style rank titles were used instead. After this change, Canadian squadron leaders became majors. In Canadian French, the rank was called commandant d'aviation. In 2015, the uniform design for Canadian air force majors changed back to show two and a half strips of braid in pearl grey on black.

United Kingdom

See also: RAF officer ranks

Origins

The rank of squadron leader started in the Royal Air Force and was later used by other air forces that follow the RAF rank system.

On 1 April 1918, when the RAF was created, it used rank titles from the British Army. The rank of squadron leader was introduced in August 1919 and has been used ever since.

RAF usage

From 1 April 1918 to 31 July 1919, the RAF used the rank of major for this position. On 31 August 1919, the rank changed to squadron leader, and it has stayed that way since then. To become a squadron leader, an officer must show special skills and receive a Career Commission, meaning they will stay in the RAF until they retire or leave on their own.

Before the Second World War, a squadron leader led a group of airplanes called a squadron. Today, a group of airplanes is usually led by a wing commander, while each smaller part, called a flight, is led by a squadron leader. Some ground teams, like those in the RAF Regiment and University Air Squadrons, are also led by squadron leaders.

Insignia and command flag

A squadron leader wears a special blue and black band on their uniform sleeves or shoulders.

Squadron leaders are the lowest-ranking officers allowed to use a command flag. This flag can be on their airplane, on a pole, or on a car when they are in charge. If they lead a numbered squadron, the number is shown on the flag.

In the British Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps, "squadron leader" is a title for the person who leads a group of armoured fighting vehicles. Usually, this person has the rank of major, which is similar to an RAF squadron leader. In the Second World War, this job was sometimes done by a captain.

Before modern cars and tanks, squadron leaders led groups of cavalry horses. This was true for the South African Light Horse and other similar units in the British Empire.

The term "Squadron Leader" is used today in English, but similar roles existed in Ancient Greece as the Phylarch and in Ancient Rome as the Decurion.