The squadron moved forward, eventually being stationed in Italy, where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany, and was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations for its combat actions.

Following V-E Day, the squadron returned to the United States, where it converted to Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers, but was inactivated in March 1946.

Its actions during these attacks on enemy targets from its activation through August 1943 earned the squadron its first Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC).

By this time, enemy air defenses had been alerted and intense flak forced the unit to attack targets of opportunity.

[6] The squadron moved to San Pancrazio Airfield, Italy in November 1943, where it became part of Fifteenth Air Force and would remain until April 1945.

Upon its move to San Pancrazio in November, it was joined by the newly-formed Royal Yugoslav Air Force Detachment, which crewed four B-24 Liberators and would remain attached to the squadron until August 1945.

[11] The squadron primarily flew long range strategic bombardment missions to targets in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans to bomb factories, marshalling yards, oil refineries, oil storage facilities, airdromes, bridges, harbors, and other objectives.

In the fall of 1944, it assisted the Red Army in its advance through the Balkans, and in early 1945, supported Operation Grapeshot, the spring offensive in Northern Italy.

[1][6] The squadron arrived at Harvard Army Air Field, Nebraska in May 1945 and began conversion to the Boeing B-29 Superfortress.

After it moved to Fort Worth Army Air Field, Texas on 10 November, the squadron was not fully manned or equipped.

It was inactivated on 28 March 1946,[1] and most of its resources at Roswell Army Air Field, New Mexico were absorbed by the 509th Bombardment Group.

Initially unarmed, and later only lightly armed with two .50-caliber machine guns in the tail turret, unit WB-29s flew daily missions over enemy-held territory.

[14] As a result of this "dual deputy" reorganization, the 376th Group was inactivated and the squadron was assigned directly to the 376th Bombardment Wing in June 1952.

From July to October 1955, the squadron deployed to RAF Upper Heyford, England as part of Operation Reflex, maintaining bombers on alert at the advanced station.

[20] The squadron continued to train in electronic warfare techniques until beginning to phase down for inactivation in March 1965 with the retirement of the Stratojet from SAC's inventory.