The P-51 was a relative latecomer to the Pacific theater, due largely to the need for the aircraft in Europe, although the P-38's twin-engined design was considered a safety advantage for long, over-water flights. The first P-51s were deployed in the Far East later in 1944, operating in close-support and escort missions, as well as tactical photoreconnaissance. As the war in Europe wound down, the P-51 became more common. With the capture of Iwo Jima, USAAF P-51 Mustang fighters of the VII Fighter Command were stationed on that island starting in March 1945, being initially tasked with escorting Boeing B-29 Superfortress missions against the Japanese homeland.
The P-51 was a relative latecomer to the Pacific theater due largely to the need for the aircraft in Europe although the P-38's twin-engined design was considered a safety advantage for long over-water flights The first P-51s were deployed in the Far East later in 1944 operating in close-support and escort missions as well as tactical photoreconnaissance As the war in Europe wound down the P-51 became more common With the capture of Iwo Jima USAAF P-51 Mustang fighters of the VII Fighter Command were stationed on that island starting in March 1945 being initially tasked with escorting Boeing B-29 Superfortress missions against the Japanese homeland