Formation (military)

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This article is about military organizations. For other senses of this word see formation.

United States Navy amphibious assault ships sailing in formation

A formation is a high-level military organization, such as a brigade, division, corps, army or army group. Technically, formations and units are different entities (a unit being a homogeneous organisation, such as a battalion, instead of a collection of separate organisations), but the terms are often used interchangeably.

A Tactical formation is the arrangement or deployment of moving military ground forces (infantry, cavalry, or AFVs), combat aircraft, or naval vessels. Examples of different tactical formations are arrowhead, square, single column, or line abreast. Examples of medieval or ancient formations include shield walls (skjaldborg in Old Norse), phalanxes (lines of battle in close order), and skirmishers. Examples of military aircraft tactical formations are the vee formation, echelon, the combat box, the fluid four formation, and the loose deuce formation.

See also

• Military unit
• Laager
• Close order formation

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