The squadron flew combat missions in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany until the end of the air war in Europe, earning two Distinguished Unit Citations.

In August 1942, the 44th Bombardment Group, which was the first Army Air Forces unit to equip with the Consolidated B-24 Liberator,[2] began to deploy to England.

[3][5] The squadron trained with B-24s at Pueblo Army Air Base, Colorado and Wendover Field, Utah under the supervision of the 308th Bombardment Group until January 1943.

The operation called for an initial attack by three Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress groups which would drop high explosive bombs.

However, prior to deploying to Africa, the squadron had engaged in extensive low level training in England, and the Norden bombsights in its planes had been replaced by a simpler sight.

[6] While deployed, this element participated in Operation Tidal Wave, the noted low level raid on the oil refineries near Ploesti, Romania on 1 August.

Before leaving North Africa, the squadron also bombed the Messerschmitt aircraft factory in Wiener Neustadt, Austria and provided close air support for ground forces in Sicily.

In September it airdropped supplies to airborne forces engaged in Operation Market Garden, the attempt to establish a bridgehead across the Rhine in the Netherlands.

In July, the group began training at Great Bend Army Air Field, Kansas as a Boeing B-29 Superfortress unit.

[2] In March 1946, the squadron was reassigned to 485th Bombardment Group, becoming one of the original combat elements of Strategic Air Command (SAC).