The squadron was activated in early 1942 under III Fighter Command in North Carolina. Initially trained with P-39 Aircobras, re-equipped with P-38 Lightnings. Moved overseas, October 1942 – February 1943, the ground echelon arriving in French Morocco with the force that invaded North Africa on 8 November, and the air echelon, which had trained for a time in England, arriving in North Africa between late December 1942 and early February 1943. Inactivated in China on 27 December 1945.