 It replaced P-38s with P-47 Thunderbolts in mid-1943; later with P-51D Mustangs in 1944 which enabled the squadron to fly escort missions deep into Germany and also engage in fighter sweeps over enemy airfields, bridges, railroads, road transport and other targets of opportunity.It continued combat operations until the German capitulation in May 1945.The squadron demobilized in England during the summer of 1945, returned to the United States and was inactivated largely as a paper unit in October 1945.