A (, ultimately from

Proto-Germanic Proto-Germanic (abbreviated PGmc; also called Common Germanic) is the reconstructed proto-language of the Germanic branch of the Indo-European languages. Proto-Germanic eventually developed from pre-Proto-Germanic into three Germanic branc ...

*''stapul'', "pillar") is a military organization in German-speaking militaries.

Operational unit

Within

Deutsche Luftwaffe ''Luftwaffe'' is a generic German term for an air force. It may also refer to one of the following air forces: * The ''Luftwaffe'' of Nazi Germany (1933–1945) * The ''Luftwaffe'' of the Federal Republic of Germany Germany,, official ...

a is the smallest unit that is able to operate on its own. The NATO map symbol for this is: NATO Map Symbol - Unit Size - Company or Squadron or Battery

Subdivisional unit

NATO doctrine recognizes this as a level of command unique to Germany. Within Heer a is a unit smaller than a company but larger than a platoon, e.g. ''Fahrzeugstaffel'' (vehicle squad), ''Instandsetzungsstaffel'' (maintenance squad). The NATO map symbol for this is: NATO Map Symbol - Unit Size - Staffel (Echelon) - Germany

NATO Map Symbol - Unit Size - Staffel (Echelon) - Germany

of the Second World War

A usually had nine to twelve aircraft. Three or four comprised a , while a single was divided into three (singular: ) consisting of four to six aircraft.

References

{{Mil-stub Air force units and formations Military units and formations by size