The squadron arrived at its combat station, on 17 March 1943. Its initial operations were against strategic targets in Western Europe and included airfields, harbors, industrial targets, shipyards and submarine pens in France and Germany. On 14 May 1943, it engaged in a hazardous mission against Kiel. The operation called for an initial attack by three Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress groups which would drop high explosive bombs. The 506th and other squadrons of the 44th Group would then attack with incendiaries. Because the group was acting alone, it was deprived of the defensive fire of the B-17s. Its vulnerability was increased when it opened its formation preparing to drop its bombs. Despite continuous interceptor attacks and heavy flak, the unit successfully struck the target. The squadron was awarded its first Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for this action. This award to group headquarters and three of the 44th's squadrons, was the first made to an Eighth Air Force bomber unit.
