Established in early 1942 initially as a B-24 Liberator reconnaissance squadron, flying antisubmarine patrols. Later being redesignated as a heavy bomb group; trained under Third Air Force in Florida. Completed training in late 1942; deploying to European Theater of Operations (ETO) as one of the initial heavy bomber squadrons assigned to VIII Bomber Command in England, September 1942. Reactivated in 1988, received aircraft from the inactivating 320th Bombardment Wing (441st BS) at Mather AFB. Inactivated in 1991 after the end of the Cold War and the reduction of the B-52 fleet.