The 8 July 1944 Lieutenant Regan, Commanding Officer of the Ground Echelon returned from temporary duty at APO 710 (Nadzab, New Guinea²) and immediately preparations were made for the movement of the Squadron. The ground echelon was to break up into flights and report to their proper stations and await the arrival of the Flight Echelon. As authorized by the Table of Organization the Squadron was separated into five flights. "HQ" Flight, "A" Flight, "B" Flight, "C" Flight, and "D" Flight. "HQ", "A" and "C" Flights were to report to APO 920, (Biak Island²) "B" Flight report to APO 503, (Oro Bay, New Guinea²) and "D" Flight report to APO 322. (Milne Bay, New Guinea²) An advance echelon formed from "HQ", "A", and "C" Flights were organized and they were to report immediately to APO 920 (Biak I.²) and begin to build camp. This group consisted of thirty five (35) Enlisted men and six (6) Officers.

After one or two false starts the advance echelon departed by air, on the 17 July 1944. Assigned to an area Southwest of of Sorido Strip, upon arrival preparations were begun for setting up camp. The camp site was cleared and after making a slight impression on the hard coral base, with intentions of leveling the area, tent sites were laid out and frames built for the tents. Flanked on the Southwest by the sea, approximately one hundred and fifty (150) yards from the camp site, the location proved ideal. Located on Biak Island, of the coast of Dutch New Guinea, we were one degree and five minutes from the Equator, and the almost continual breeze from the sea relieved to some extent, the excessive heat from the sun.

On the 22 July 1944, the two Flight echelons, enroute from the United States, began arriving (per OPERATIONS ORDER #149, Headquarters, Station No.10, Pacific Wing, Air Transport Command, dated 27 June 1944¹) for duty at APO 503. (Oro Bay²) Upon receiving their assignment, the departed for their proper station. A change in the disposition of flights occurred at this time and "C" Flight was to proceed to APO 322 (Milne Bay²) and "D" Flight was assigned to APO 920. (Biak I.²) During the latter part of July, the Japanese Air Force succeeded in completing several bombing missions over APO 920. (Biak I.²)

Operating from Mokmer Strip, at APO 920, (Biak I.²) the first three (3) missions were flown on the 27 July 1944, and on this first flight, a rescue of five (5) men was accomplished. With this as an incentive, the Squadron began, in earnest, the job of Air-sea rescue work.

On the 30 July 1944, "B" Flight departed, by air, from APO 503 (Oro Bay²) and reported to APO 565 (Hollandia, New Guinea²) leaving "C" Flight at APO 503 (Oro Bay²) awaiting orders as to their disposition. A roster of Flights with duty status included and a roster of the advance echelon are attached.

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