On 15 July 1942, the personnel of 894 Naval Air Squadron gathered at RNAS Stretton (HMS Blackcap), Cheshire, England, before departing for the United States.

[2] Upon reaching Naval Air Station Norfolk in Virginia, the squadron was officially established on 15 August 1942 as a single-seat fighter unit, with Lieutenant Commander(A) D. A.

[3] These were the counterparts to the US Navy's F4F-4B variant were generally comparable to the Mk II, featuring two extra wing-mounted guns and powered by the Wright Cyclone engine.

Turnbull, DSC, RN, took command of the unit and in July, 894 Naval Air Squadron embarked on the lead ship of her class, HMS Illustrious, for trip to Iceland,[2] subsequently participating in an operation along the Norwegian coastline.

[5] In August, HMS Illustrious proceeded to Malta to integrate with Force H, which served as a protective contingent for the landings as part of Operation Avalanche and aircraft from Force H conducted Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and Anti-Submarine Patrol (ASP) missions during daylight hours,[6] with some aircraft temporarily operating from a seized airstrip.

Eventually, the Wing was tasked with operations from RAF Culmhead, Somerset, England, where it provided escort for Royal Air Force Hawker Typhoon aircraft engaged in anti-shipping missions in the English Channel during April 1944.

On 15 May, the 24th NFW returned to RAF Ballyhalbert to prepare for its embarkation aboard the Implacable-class aircraft carrier, HMS Indefatigable on 23 May, which included a week dedicated to deck landing training.

[3] Reformed at RNAS Merryfield in Cornwall, England, in January 1957, the squadron was designated as an all-weather fighter unit, with Lieutenant Commander P.G.

In February 1960, the squadron joined the Centaur-class aircraft carrier, HMS Albion for a deployment in the Far East, ultimately returning to disband at RNAS Yeovilton on 17 December.