It was formed in December 1943 at Batchelor, Northern Territory, as part of North-Western Area Command.

Led by Group Captain Charles Eaton, the wing comprised four squadrons on its establishment, flying Beaufort and B-25 Mitchell bombers and Beaufighter heavy fighters.

79 Wing took part in the New Guinea and North-Western Area Campaigns during 1944–45, eventually transferring to Balikpapan in the Dutch East Indies as the Allies advanced northward.

By the end of the Pacific War, the wing was attached to the Australian First Tactical Air Force and was made up of Nos.

[2] Through March–April 1944, the Beaufighters attacked Japanese shipping, while the Mitchells and Beauforts bombed Timor on a daily basis as a prelude to Operations Reckless and Persecution, the invasions of Hollandia and Aitape.

Consisting of thirty-five Mitchells, Beauforts and Beaufighters, the force destroyed the town's barracks and fuel dumps, a result that earned the personal congratulations of the Air Officer Commanding NWA, Air Vice Marshal "King" Cole.

[2][3] On the day of the Allied landings, 22 April, the Mitchells and Beaufighters made a daylight raid on Dili, Portuguese Timor.

79 Wing's light and medium bombers suffered from a lack of suitable targets as they had few airfields in forward areas from which to refuel.

18 Squadron flew 149 sorties, damaging Japanese airfields and shipping in the Timor area, but lost its commanding officer to anti-aircraft fire during a raid.

In September, the Beaufighters and Mitchells attacked Japanese shipping and infrastructure in Ceram and Celebes, but lost nine aircraft and twenty-six crewmen killed, among them Squadron Leader Wilbur Wackett, son of Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation manager Lawrence Wackett.

[5][6] By the end of the month, Mitchell missions were put on hold while replacement crews were trained.

Wing operations were cut back in March, as preparations were made to transfer the Mitchells to Jacquinot Bay in New Britain.

They claimed two direct hits without loss, despite anti-aircraft fire from the cruiser and other ships, and frontal attacks by enemy fighters.

[11] The wing's proposed move to New Britain was cancelled in May 1945, after the Netherlands government requested that its squadrons operate over the Dutch East Indies.

79 Wing and its two Mitchell squadrons were ordered to move to Borneo, under the command of First Tactical Air Force.