It spent the greatest part of its existence flying over water, doing so in the First, and Second World Wars and beyond, performing anti-submarine, reconnaissance and air-sea rescue tasks.

The squadron formed on 20 August 1918 at Great Yarmouth during the re-organisation of the former RNAS stations of Nos.

In June 1941 the squadron moved to Gambia, West Africa, returning in August 1941 to Pembroke Dock and then RAF Stranraer, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, to be re-equipped.

In March 1942 at RAF Oban in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, the squadron became operational again, moving to RAF Lough Erne, in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, in December 1942 and then back to Pembroke Dock in May 1943, where it remained until disbanding on 4 June 1945.

The squadron was now a helicopter search and rescue unit, flying Bristol Sycamores -passing them on to 118 sqn- and Westland Whirlwinds.