The 337th Fighter Group was activated at Morris Field, North Carolina with the 98th, 303d, and 304th Fighter Squadrons assigned. It received its initial cadre from the 20th Fighter Group. The group operated as replacement training unit, flying primarily P-40 Warhawks and P-51 Mustangs, but also other fighter aircraft. In February 1943, the group added a fourth squadron, the 440th Fighter Squadron The group maintained a split operation with squadrons operating from both Sarasota Army Air Field and Pinellas Army Air Field. The group and its components were disbanded in 1944 in a major reorganization of the Army Air Forces (AAF) in which all units not programmed to be transferred overseas were replaced by AAF Base Units to free up manpower for overseas deployment. The 336th AAF Base Unit (Rep