In November 1943, the squadron moved to Palikulo Bay Airfield on Espiritu Santo, where it carried out reconnaissance, anti-submarine, supply dropping and general flight patrols.It was during this tour that the squadron made the heaviest raid by a New Zealand formation in the South Pacific; eight aircraft dropped 40,000 lb of bombs in southwest Bougainville.During the operational tours of the South West Pacific the squadron was based at Espiritu Santo, Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Bougainville, Green Island and Jacquinot Bay.2 Squadron operated a variety of aircraft, including Hudsons (maintaining air/sea rescue detachments at Whenuapai and Norfolk Island) and Venturas (twin-engine pilot conversion and meteorological flights).This squadron operated in a similar manner to its 1930s predecessor with annual flying carried out at Ohakea and Wigram on Harvards and Mustangs.In a highly controversial move, the RNZAF Air Combat Force comprising Number 2, 14, and 75 Squadrons was disbanded on 13 December 2001 by the Labour Government under Helen Clark.
TA-4K in the colours of 2 Squadron RNZAF; photographed 5 years after the type was retired at Ohakea. This Skyhawk is now on display outside the Ohakea Officers mess