[3][4] Due to the haste to move heavy bombers to Europe, the squadron was insufficiently trained for combat[5] and it continued to train in England until it entered combat on 17 November 1942[4] in a strike against Saint-Nazaire, but returned without striking, having been unable to locate its target.

As a unit of one of only four Flying Fortress groups in VIII Bomber Command during late 1942 and early 1943, the squadron participated in the development of the tactics that would be used throughout the air campaign against Germany.

[3] Although a strategic bombing unit, the squadron was diverted on occasion to close air support and interdiction for ground forces.

However, the two B-17 groups moved to Casablanca proved surplus to Air Transport Command's needs and the squadron was inactivated in late July 1945 and its planes ferried back to the United States.

[3][4] The squadron was again activated in the postwar Strategic Air Command in 1947 at Andrews Field, Maryland, but not Manned or equipped and inactivated in September 1948.

[citation needed] This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency