The squadron was originally formed in September 1818, but only lasted 4 months before being disbanded. It reformed in 1941 as part of the Special Duty Force. It only received Lancasters in March 1945 when the squadron was transferred to Bomber Command. It disbanded in 1950, but reformed to be part of the V-Force and became the first squadron to be equipped with the Vickers Valiant. It finally disbanded in 1962.