The operational organization becomes visible when a carrier air group launches. An 18-aircraft daitai, nine-aircraft chutai, and three-aircraft shotai show how the multiples worked, with Shokaku carrying 18 Zeros, 27 Vals, and 27 Kates. These formations were not separate squadrons because the carrier normally retained one integrated air-group command instead of three complete squadron staffs. Aircraft complements, airborne leaders, and administrative boundaries therefore describe different parts of the same organization.
Chapter · 45:09-50:07
Carrier launch formations followed multiples of three
Japanese carrier aircraft launched through an operational hierarchy of 18-, nine-, and three-aircraft formations that did not duplicate the administrative chain.