The squadron is tasked with providing offensive support for ground & maritime (anti-shipping) operations, air interdiction and interception.

[1][2] The squadron was formed on January 5, 1996 at the SLAF Katunayake with six IAI Kfir multi-role fighter jets acquired from Israel, with US State Department approval.

On November 2, 2007 the Sri Lankan Air Force claimed that aircraft from the squadron killed the LTTE’s Political Wing Leader S.P.

During the last phase of the war it maintained units at SLAF China Bay.

[5] In 2021 government approved a US$49 million deal with Israel Aerospace Industries to update the remaining five Kfirs to Block 60 standard.