 Although called a bombardment wing, the 309th operated as a task force, commanding the forward elements of Fifth Air Force.The 309th replaced the provisional 2d Air Task Force, which was organized on 2 August 1943 to serve as the forward element of the Advanced Echelon of Fifth Air Force in the Tsili Tsili area of New Guinea.The wing's combat components included bomber, fighter, reconnaissance and special operations groups and their supporting organizations.