 The flight echelon moved to the Russell Islands for the month of July, returning to Henderson Field and then moving to Efate again.The squadron's flight echelon moved to Munda on October 15, 1943 and from November 1 to November 21, they provided close air support to troops during the Battle of Bougainville.On January 12, 1944, the squadron boarded ship to begin their return to the United States.