Task Organisation & Fleet Command

Two systems employed

Whenever two or more ships operate together a task organisation is needed to delineate responsibility and establish a well defined tactical chain of command. It consists of Task Forces (TF), Task Groups (TG), Task Units (TU) and Task Elements (TE).

The type organisation is used mainly for administrative purposes: ships, normally of the same type, are allocated into flotillas, squadrons, divisions and subdivisions.

Command appointments

OTC — the senior officer present, or the officer to whom he has delegated tactical command.

Fleet — an organisation of ships, aircraft, marine forces and shore based fleet activities under a commander or commander in chief who may exercise operational as well as administrative control.

Type — ships divided by basic characteristics; types may be further divided into classes having the same details of design.

Administrative groupings

Flotilla — an administrative or tactical organisation of two or more squadrons plus any additional ships assigned as flagships or tenders.

Squadron — two or more divisions of ships, plus such additional ships as may be assigned as flagships or tenders.

Division — two or more ships which for tactical purposes may be further divided into subdivisions.

Task chain

Task Force — a component of a fleet organised by the commander of a task fleet or higher authority for a specific task or tasks.

Task Group — a component of a task force organised by the commander of the task force or higher authority. Task Unit — a component of a task group. Task Element — a component of a task unit.