Established as a Northwest Air District Reconnaissance squadron at McChord Field in 1941. After the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, flew antisubmarine and defensive patrols over the Pacific northwest coast until February 1942; then reassigned to Louisiana flying antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico. Engaged in desert warfare in Egypt; Libya and Tunisia, August 1942-June 1943, supporting British Eighth Army as they advanced into Tunisia, then participated in Invasion of Sicily and Italy; remaining in Mediterranean Theater of Operations until February 1944.