The 419th is responsible for developmental testing of Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, Rockwell B-1 Lancer, and Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers.

It conducts tests to extend the usable life of these airframes, upgrade their combat capabilities, and integrate new weapons systems into their operation.

It works closely with Air Combat Command operational testing elements for these systems, often flying with them on the same missions.

The ground echelon moved to Virginia to prepare for movement overseas, leaving for Fort Dix and the Port of Embarkation on 19 July.

Between 20 and 23 November 1942, the air echelon moved forward to bases in southeastern England, from which it flew directly to Tafaraoui Airfield, Algeria.

[5] Starting in July 1943, the squadron began flying numerous missions to targets in Italy, moving forward to Oudna Airfield, Tunisia in early August.

From its Italian base, it concentrated on the strategic bombing campaign against Germany, attacking oil centers, lines of communications, and industrial areas in Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Yugoslavia.

[5] The 419th also flew air support missions near Anzio and Monte Cassino, provided cover for Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France and the advance of the Red Army in the Balkans and the Allies of World War II advances in the Po Valley.

In August, it was designated as a "very heavy" unit in preparation for conversion to the Boeing B-29 Superfortress and deployment to Pacific Theater.

Before the squadron arrived at its planned training base, Pyote Army Air Field, Texas, Japan had surrendered and there was no need for additional bomber units.

The squadron was inactivated in October 1945, shortly before Pyote ended training operations and became an aircraft storage depot.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency