In the years leading up to World War II, the United States Army Air Corps were interested in attack aircraft capable of carrying larger bomb loads with greater firepower.

Although it looked purposeful with its slender fuselage, thin nose, and sleek streamlining, the A-14 was hampered by a lack of power, despite its two 775 hp (578 kW) Wright Whirlwind radial engines.

[4] An improved variant, the Y1A-18, had upgraded 850 hp (630 kW) Wright R-1820-47 radial engines with three-blade propellers replacing the original two-blade models.

[6] The squadron won the coveted Harmon Trophy for gunnery and bombing accuracy in their first year of service.

[6][9] Lastly, four of the A-18s (serials 37-52, 37-56, 37-61, and one other un-identified) were assigned to the USAAF Caribbean Air Force in late November 1941 and were based initially at Albrook Field, Panama Canal Zone.

A-18 serial 37-61 was damaged in a landing accident at Albrook field on 22 February 1943,[11] and cannibalization kept at least one aircraft flying until it was grounded due to a lack of spare parts.