A wing is the organized fighting force of dragons during Threadfall. Typically containing 12-33 @Dragons. Each wing is led by a wingleader, usually a bronze rider, and several wingseconds.
Wings serve as the main means for organizing @Dragonriders. Wings are formed or disbanded at the discretion of the Weyrleader and depend on the population of the Weyr. Wings are led by a wingleader, who is usually an experienced bronze rider, though a Weyrleader might give a talented younger rider the position in fully staffed Weyrs. Wingleaders then choose several wingseconds to assist. As queen dragons cannot flame Thread, they are not usually assigned to a wing, but instead take part in special queen's wings, where their riders use flamethrowers to char low-altitude Thread.
The main duty of a wing is to fight Thread. A wing will be assigned a specific territory to cover. Because green dragons lack the stamina to fly a complete fall, green dragons usually swap in and out of the wing during the fall. When not fighting Thread, wings will be assigned duties on a daily basis from the Weyrleader. A wing might be assigned to patrol duties, Search or other tasks that come up.
Wingleader is a position of importance in the weyrs. A wingleader is a @Dragonrider who is in charge of a wing of fighting @Dragons. Wingleaders are usually riders of bronze or brown dragons.
Wingleaders are chosen by the Weyrleader, and are usually experienced and capable riders. In a fully staffed Weyr, however, a Weyrleader might sometimes choose a talented younger rider. A wingleader usually has one or two wingseconds, who serve as secondary leaders under the Wingleader. Wingseconds can take over during Threadfall in the event the wingleader is injured or killed. Besides the wingseconds, the wingleader oversees between 12 to 33 dragon-rider pairs. Wingleaders have the ability to recruit new members to the wing as new dragonriders mature (reach the age of sixteen) and complete training.
Wingleaders meet regularly with their Weyrleader to discuss Weyr duties and assignments. Prior to Threadfall, Wingleaders will discuss specifics of the upcoming fall. In the event that the Weyrleader is incapacitated or otherwise unable to fly the Threadfall, capable Wingleaders can lead the fall in the Weyrleader's place. When not flying Thread, Wingleaders lead their wings in the performance of certain duties, such as patrols, Search, or other duties assigned by the Weyrleader.
Up to 3/4 of a healthy wing is made up of blue or green dragons. The main responsibility of the wing is to fight Thread. During Threadfall, wings will be assigned to specific locations, and fly in a V-formation, with the wingleader and wingseconds up front, and 15 wingriders on each side. Because Green dragons do not have the stamina to fly an entire Threadfall, they will swap out at specific times. Three wings grouped together is called a flight. One flight of riders can fight Thread, but this is considered an absolute minimum; three flights (equivalent to nine wings), is preferred.
Wingseconds are chosen by a wing's leader and are usually skilled bronze or brown riders. Wingseconds help to relay orders to the remainder of the wing and can take up other duties as requested by the wingleader. While flying thread, a wingsecond is expected to take over in the event the wingleader was injured or killed. Wingseconds are expected to be given a certain amount of respect by other riders. A wingsecond's importance can vary depending on which wingleader they serve under. Being wingsecond to the Weyrleader would place the wingsecond in a very prominent position.
Queen dragons, unlike the other types of dragons, do not digest firestone due to a belief that it sterilizes female dragons and therefore are unable to breathe fire to fight Thread. As an alternative, the queens and their riders form a special wing, which flies at low altitude. The riders will use flamethrowers to catch any thread missed by the upper wings. Flying at low altitude has the benefit of keeping the valuable queens away from danger and is necessary due to the limitations of the flamethrowers. Flamethrowers have a limited range and thus are difficult to use at upper levels to the extent needed to fight Thread.