 In November and December 1944, the squadron continued to provide support for the occupation of Leyte, striking targets on Luzon in support of the landings on Mindoro.In January 1945, the squadron struck ships and targets on Formosa and Luzon in support of the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon.The squadron participated in operations in the South China Sea (the first time an American Task Force had entered these waters since the beginning of the war), striking targets at Cam Ranh Bay and a convoy off Qui Nhơn, French Indo-China, shipping at the Pescadores Island, and Hong Kong.