By November 1914 the Flying Corps had significantly expanded and it was felt necessary to create organizational units which would control collections of squadrons.

The wing's first commander was Hugh Trenchard who had been appointed a few days earlier.

The wing saw action on the Western Front, including at the Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915.

The wing was subsequently disbanded and was not re-established for the second time until 1 January 1926 which it acted as an Army Co-operation unit, controlling No.

210 Squadron which acted in the general reconnaissance role during the Spanish Civil War.

Specifically, the wing was part of an Anglo-French force charged with countering submarine attacks on neutral shipping.