 The 20th FG entered combat with Lockheed P-38 Lightnings late in December 1943 and for several months was engaged primarily in escorting heavy and medium bombers to targets on the Continent.The group frequently strafed targets of opportunity while on escort missions.The group retained escort as its primary function until the end of the war, but in March 1944 began to fly fighter-bomber missions, which became almost as frequent as escort operations.