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Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr) is a commissioned rank in some air forces. The name originated in the British Royal Air Force and is common in Commonwealth air forces. In these cases a Squadron Leader ranks above Flight Lieutenant and immediately below Wing Commander. It has a NATO ranking code of OF-3, equivalent to a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy or a Major in the British Army or the Royal Marines.
Origins
On 1 April 1918, the newly created RAF adopted its officer rank titles from the British Army, with Royal Naval Air Service Lieutenant-Commanders and Royal Flying Corps Majors becoming Majors in the RAF. In response to the proposal that the RAF should use its own rank titles, it was suggested that the RAF might use the Royal Navy's officer ranks, with the word "Air" inserted before the naval rank title. For example, the rank that later became Squadron Leader would have been Air Lieutenant-Commander. However, the Admiralty objected to this modification of their rank titles. The rank title Squadron Leader was chosen as Squadrons were typically led by RAF Majors and the term Squadron Commander had been used in the Royal Naval Air Service. The rank of Squadron Leader has been used continuously since 1 August 1919.
Before the Second World War, a Squadron Leader commanded a squadron of aircraft. Today, however, a flying squadron is usually commanded by a Wing Commander, with each of the two flights under a Squadron Leader. However, squadrons which are administrative sub-divisions of a Wing are ordinarily commanded by a Squadron Leader.
Squadrons of the RAF Regiment are normally commanded by a Squadron Leader.
Insignia and command flag
The rank insignia consists of a thin blue band on a slightly wider black band between two narrow blue bands on slightly wider black bands. This is worn on both the lower sleeves of the tunic or on the shoulders of the flying suit or the casual uniform.
Squadron Leaders are the lowest ranking officers that may fly a command flag. The flag may be depicted on the officer's aircraft or, should the squadron leader be in command, the flag may be flown from a flagpole or displayed on an official car as a car flag. If the Squadron Leader is in command of a numbered squadron, then the number of the squadron would also be shown on the flag.
Non-air force use
In the Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps, "Squadron Leader" is the title (but not the rank) often given to the commander of a squadron (company) of armoured fighting vehicles. The squadron leader is usually a Major, although in the Second World War the post was often held by a Captain.
The rank has been borrowed in science fiction including the Star Wars films and its extended universe of literature and comics.
Other air forces
The rank of Squadron Leader is also used in a number of the air forces in the Commonwealth, including the Ghana Air Force, Indian Air Force (IAF), Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) used the rank until the unification of the Canadian Forces in 1968, when army-type rank titles were adopted. A Canadian Squadron Leader then became a Major.
See also
External links
Military ranks of the Commonwealth | Military ranks of Australia | Military ranks of Canada | Military ranks of India | Military ranks of the United Kingdom
"Squadron Leader"