As a result, the squadron was disbanded for a short period of time till it was re-established at PAF Base Rafiqui in late 1981 with Dassault Mirage-VPA2 strike fighters.

Between 1998 and 2020, the OCU conducted 34 Conversion Courses after which it replaced its aging F-7s with the JF-17B Thunder dual seaters at PAF Base Minhas in October 2020.

[4][5] The squadron initially saw combat during the Dir-Bajaur Conflict which saw the unit's F-86F Sabres flying several CAS missions against Afghan backed insurgents in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

By the time the 1965 Indo-Pakistani war broke out, the squadron was deployed at PAF Base Sargodha from where it undertook several combat missions.

While being part of the 33rd Wing at PAF Base Sargodha, the squadron's Canadair Sabres were deployed to support the army's 105 Independent brigade at Suleimanki headworks.

Subsequently, Flight Lieutenant Maqsood Amir and Flying Officer Taloot Mirza were awarded the Tamgha-i-Jurat.

[3] During President Emomali Rahmon's official visit to Pakistan in 2021, JF-17s from the 18 squadron escorted the Tajik presidential Boeing 737 upon its arrival in Pakistani airspace.