No. 1586 (Polish Special Duties) Flight was first formed at RAF Derna, in Libya on 4 November 1943, equipped with Handley Page Halifax II special duties aircraft. The flight was disbanded on 7 November 1944 at RAF Brindisi to resume operations as No. 301 Squadron RAF. The origin of 1586 flight was the remnants of 301 (Polish) Squadron after disbandment by the Polish HQ due to lack of staff and trained crews. Remaining crews and aircraft formed C Flight of 138 Squadron, which was temporarily renamed as 301 Squadron Special Duties Flight RAF, before becoming 1586 Flight.