The squadron was formed in January 1944 and initially flew anti-submarine patrols off the east coast of Australia.

[1] The unit's headquarters moved to nearby Menangle, New South Wales in late February, but returned to Camden in May.

An advance party departed on 21 July, but elements of the squadron remained in Australia where they continued to undertake anti-submarine patrols until the end of the war.

[3] The squadron's roles in New Guinea were to conduct anti-submarine and anti-barge patrols and attack Japanese ground positions.

15 Squadron's headquarters was located at Madang and it had operational detachments at Middleburg, Cairns and Townsville and a rear echelon at Camden.

71 Wing and supported the Australian Army forces engaged in the Aitape–Wewak campaign alongside other Beaufort-equipped RAAF squadrons.

[7][8] The aircraft bombed Japanese positions throughout the region, and mounted an intensive effort on 11 May to support the landing at Dove Bay.

[8] The squadron received orders to return to Australia on 22 September, and its air echelon departed Middleburg Island late in the month.