A squadron or small fleet of military aircraft or naval vessels, especially used to describe World War I flying units.
From French 'escadrille' (small fleet), diminutive of 'escadre' (squadron), from Old French and Italian origins meaning a group of ships.
The Lafayette Escadrille was a legendary World War I flying unit of American volunteer pilots in French service—the name became iconic because these pilots became heroes fighting in planes that were barely more than fabric and wood.
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