Sentai
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2008-04-19T21:34:14Z
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/* Popular culture */
{{nihongo|'''''Sentai'''''|戦隊|sentai}} is a [[Japanese language]] word for a [[military unit]] and may be literally translated as "task force", "[[group (air force unit)|group]]" or "[[wing (air force unit)|wing]]". The terms "[[regiment]]" and "[[flotilla]]", while sometimes used as translations of ''Sentai'', are also used to refer to larger formations.
==World War II==
It is perhaps best known as the term used during [[World War II]] by the military of the [[Empire of Japan]], for [[Imperial Japanese Army Air Force]] (IJAAF) and [[Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service]] (IJNAS) [[military aviation]] units—equivalent to a group or wing in other air forces.
A ''Sentai'' was made up of two to four [[squadron]]s, known as ''[[Chutai]]'' by the IJAAF and ''[[Buntai]]'' by the IJNAS. In the later stages of World War II, the IJAAF abolished ''Chutai'' and divided its ''Sentai'' into ''Hikotai'' (flying units) and ''Seibutai'' (maintenance units).
In the IJAAF, a ''Sentai'' commander (''Sentaicho'') was generally a [[Lieutenant Colonel]]. In the IJNAS a ''Sentaicho'' was usually a [[Captain (naval)|Naval Captain]].
In the IJAAF, two or more ''Sentai'' comprised a ''Hikodan'' (air [[brigade]]). In the IJNAS, several ''Sentai'' made up a ''Kantai'' (air [[fleet]]).
==Popular culture==
More recently, in the title of ''[[Super Sentai]]'', a series of ''[[tokusatsu]]'' [[television]] programs, which is reconfigured for [[English language|English]]-speaking audiences as ''[[Power Rangers]]''.
''[[Lego Exo-Force]]'' is also set on "Sentai Mountain".
<!-- (They are better known as ''senshi'', not sentai. - NR)
In the popular manga and anime ''[[Sailor Moon]]'', the Sailor Scouts are part of sentais from different planets of the Universe -->
Aram, from ''[[MeruPuri]]'', has a favorite sentai group: the Pika Rangers (In the English version, this is translated as "Sparkle Rangers").
"[[Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's]]" was rumored to have a Sentai Theme, but this has so far turned out not to be the case.
==See also==
* [[Senshi]]
==References==
*[http://www.warbirdforum.com/jaaf.htm Dan Ford, 2004-05, "An introduction to the Japanese Army Air Force"] (warbirdforum.com)
*[http://markkaiser.com/japaneseaviation/jaafstructure.html Mark Kaiser, 1997-98, "Unit structure of IJA Air Force"] (self-published)
*[http://world.std.com/~Ted7/minorafp.htm Mitch Schwartz, 2001, "East Asian/Pacific Area"] (self-published)
*[http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/jnaf/jnaf.htm Peter Dunn, 2002, "Japanese Navy Air Force (JNAF) Operating in the Australian Area During WW2"] (ozatwar.com)
[[Category:Japanese words and phrases]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of Japan in World War II]]
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