*Cloudbuster* wrote: Potlucks, pool, sing alongs at squadron headquarters, insignia, arm patches, jeep rides to the flying field. That sort of thing...
I think Cloudbuster gets it point on: The idea of squads is not to create invincible clans, but to create groups of people who know and respect one another, and can have fun together.
When members of the same squadron meet in a game they greet one another, and chat, even if they have joined the game on opposite sides.
I do not think it would be a good idea to allow members of the same squadron to join the same team by choice, at least not in ordinary, open for all games. It would be fun for them, of course, but less so for the others.
I was on a game once when three aces belonging to the same squad joined the game at the same time. They were on the red team, and came towards us flying side by side, decorated like Christmas trees from top to bottom with squadron names, rank symbols and player names.
It may have happened by pure chance, or they may have quit, waited a few seconds, and joined again several times until they ended up all on the same side.
Some of the blue players chose to leave the game at once. To go against a close-knit group of expert players like that must have seemed less than inviting to them. And of course, as things turned out, we didn't stand a chance.
Prearranged "squad wars" would be another thing altogether. It would be great fun for the squad members, who could coordinate their efforts by planning the fight on beforehand, dividing roles according to skills, and lifting the game to a much higher level. And best of all, it would not harm or irritate anyone else.