 The group's fighter squadrons were initially equipped with low-hour P/F-47D "Thunderbolts" removed from storage at various depots in Germany.Initially, the group performed mostly occupation duty, however, it flew escort missions for its Consolidated B-24 Liberator reconnaissance aircraft along the borders of Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Zone of Germany, occasionally engaging with Soviet aircraft as they harassed the reconnaissance flights.In January 1948 the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron was reassigned and the 86th Composite Group became the 86th Fighter Group.