After training in the United States, it deployed to the European Theatre of Operations, where it engaged in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany.

2d Lieutenant Robert E. Femoyer, of the 711th Bombardment Squadron, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during a mission over Merseburg, Germany, on 2 November 1944.

It trained with Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars and North American F-86 Sabres until being replaced by the 69th Troop Carrier Squadron in 1957.

[6] In 2015, the 711th SOS shares a building, flightline, aircraft and mission with the active-duty 6th Special Operations Squadron at Duke Field.

[9] However, by the time the 447th group reached full strength in October it had been identified for overseas deployment and its key personnel were sent to the Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics at Orlando Army Air Base, Florida for advanced tactical training.

The cadre trained at Brooksville Army Air Field with the 1st Bombardment Squadron, engaging in simulated attacks against Mobile, Alabama, Charleston, South Carolina and New Orleans.

It flew its first combat mission on 24 December 1943 against a V-1 flying bomb launch site near Saint-Omer in Northern France.

[13] The squadron conducted heavy bombardment missions against German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20 to 25 February 1944.

[8] It assaulted marshalling yards, railroad bridges and communication centers during the Battle of the Bulge from December 1944 to January 1945.

He refused morphine to relieve the pain of his injuries in order to keep his mind alert to navigate the plane out of the danger from heavily defended flak areas and then to a place of safety for his crew.

Because he was too weak to climb back in his seat, he asked other crew members to prop him up so he could read his charts and instruments.

[18] It had no tactical aircraft assigned, but flew twin engine trainers[3] under the supervision of the 2347th Air Force Reserve Training Center.

[3] Close air support of conventional and special operations ground forces became the unit's primary duty, but additional capabilities included the ability to perform armed interdiction, reconnaissance, and escort, forward air control and combat search and rescue in conventional or unconventional warfare settings.

[3] The squadron deployed five aircraft and eight aircrews to King Fahd International Airport, near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, arriving on 7 February and flying its first sortie two days later.

Ghost 10 was the first squadron aircraft to attack, but it had to depart the area after destroying five vehicles due to its low fuel situation.

[28] The squadron's primary mission changed in late 1995 as the unit transitioned to the MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft.

In its new role, the squadron provided long-range clandestine delivery of special operations forces and equipment.

[29] The squadron ended forty-two years of operating with the Hercules in 2013, when it transitioned into the PZL C-145 Skytruck short takeoff and landing aircraft.

It supports friendly nations to assist the United States in achieving strategic political and military goals.