It trained in the Northeastern United States until October, then deployed to serve with Ninth Air Force in Egypt, where it took part in the Western Desert Campaign.

It resumed combat on 30 October 1943 and directed most of its attacks against roads, bridges, motor transport, supply areas, rolling stock, gun positions, troop concentrations, and rail facilities in Italy until August 1944.

It aided the Allied offensive in Italy during May 1944, receiving a Distinguished Unit Citation for action from 12 to 14 May when the squadron bombed an enemy position on Monastery Hill 9 (Monte Cassino), attacked troops massing on the hill for counterattack, and hit a nearby stronghold to force the surrender of an enemy garrison.

It then converted to Republic P-47 Thunderbolts in July and supported the assault on southern France in August by dive-bombing gun positions, bridges, and radar facilities, and by patrolling the combat zone.

The squadron aided the reduction of the Colmar bridgehead in January and February 1945, and supported Seventh Army's drive through the Siegfried Line defenses in March 1945.

On 1 April 1994 the 314th was inactivated and its personnel and equipment were transferred to the 61st Fighter Squadron, which moved on paper to Luke from MacDill Air Force Base.