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A '''naval fleet''' is usually a [[permanent|permanent]] formation and is generally assigned to a particular [[ocean]] or [[sea]]. Many fleets are named after the particular ocean or sea to which they are assigned. Since 1942, the [[US Navy]] uses numbers to identify its fleets.<ref>Norman Polmar, ''The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet'' (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1939), p. 29</ref>  

A '''naval fleet''' is usually a [[permanent|permanent]] formation and is generally assigned to a particular [[ocean]] or [[sea]]. Many fleets are named after the particular ocean or sea to which they are assigned. Since 1942, the [[US Navy]] uses numbers to identify its fleets.<ref>Norman Polmar, ''The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet'' (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1939), p. 29</ref>  

A fleet is normally [[Command (military)|commanded]] by an [[admiral]].<ref>''Hearings Before the Committee on Naval Affairs of the House of Representatives: 1908–1909'' (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1908), p. 1110</ref> Usually, his rank is [[Admiral of the Fleet]]. Some fleets have been or are commanded by [[Vice-Admiral]]s or even [[Rear-Admiral]]s. Most fleets are divided into several [[squadron]]s, each of which is commanded by a [[subordinate|subordinate]] admiral. Those squadrons in turn are often divided into divisions.

A fleet is normally [[Command (military)|commanded]] by an [[admiral]].<ref>''Hearings Before the Committee on Naval Affairs of the House of Representatives: 1908–1909'' (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1908), p. 1110</ref> Usually, their rank is [[Admiral of the Fleet]]. Some fleets have been or are commanded by [[Vice-Admiral]]s or even [[Rear-Admiral]]s. Most fleets are divided into several [[squadron]]s, each of which is commanded by a [[subordinate|subordinate]] admiral. Those squadrons in turn are often divided into divisions.

During the [[age of sail]], fleets were divided into van, centre and rear squadrons. They were named after each squadron’s place in the [[line of battle]]. In more modern times, the squadrons are typically composed of groups of the same [[class|class]] of [[warship]]s. Examples would be [[frigate]]s<ref>John Roberts, ''Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy'' (Barnsley: Seaforth, 2009), p. 18</ref> or [[destroyer]]s.<ref>Harold A Skaarup, ''Out of Darkness—Light: 1983-1997'' (New York: iUniverse, 2005), p. 474</ref>  

During the [[age of sail]], fleets were divided into van, centre and rear squadrons. They were named after each squadron’s place in the [[line of battle]]. In more modern times, the squadrons are typically composed of groups of the same [[class|class]] of [[warship]]s. Examples would be [[frigate]]s<ref>John Roberts, ''Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy'' (Barnsley: Seaforth, 2009), p. 18</ref> or [[destroyer]]s.<ref>Harold A Skaarup, ''Out of Darkness—Light: 1983-1997'' (New York: iUniverse, 2005), p. 474</ref>