 The wing was established in mid-1943 as a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter group, trained under I Fighter Command on Long Island, New York and in Massachusetts before moving to England, arriving in January 1944.The unit began operations with IX Fighter Command on 14 March when the group flew a fighter sweep over the English Channel coast of France.Made strafing and bombing attacks on airfields, rail and highway bridges, trains, vehicles, flak positions, and V-weapon sites to help prepare for the invasion of France.