The unit started operating from late 1940 and disbanded during early 1944.

[1] Its role was training strike and twin-engined fighter aircrew.

The unit was initially equipped with Bristol Blenheim, a British light bomber aircraft and Avro Anson a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft, before these were eventually replaced by Bristol Beaufighter a British multi-role aircraft, in 1942.

[2] When the demand for the Bristol Beaufighter aircrew reduced the training was transferred to No.

2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit was equipped with numerous types and variants of aircraft:[1] The main airfield for the unit was RAF Catfoss however a number of different airfields were also used as relief landing grounds.