B-25s assigned to the 3^rd Bomb Squadron crossed “the Hump” and then made their way to Kweilin. The planes arrived at their new base on September 8, 1944—the same day the Japanese 11^th Army overran Lingling, both the town and the airfield, as part of their massive Operation ICHIGO offensive. Then began their advance toward Kweilin, about 125 miles farther to the southwest. The 3^rd Squadron's bombers flew only four missions before Kweilin was evacuated, all against towns in the path of the enemy drive. Final evacuation and demolition procedures began on September 14, as 3^rd Squadron personnel began their move to Peishiyi by air transport, railroad, truck convoy, and the squadron’s B-25s.

The Chinese-American Composite Wing’s unique composition was not always readily accepted. As the 3^rd Bomb Squadron prepared to enter combat in Burma, a serious conflict arose. Maj. R. L. Patterson, in command of the 83^rd Bomb Squadron, 12^th Bomb Group, was distrustful of the abilities of the recently-arrived and biracial 3^rd Squadron. Before allowing the mixed Chinese-American crews to "tack onto" his planes for missions, he insisted that 3^rd Squadron airmen fly a practice formation flight with the 83^rd to demonstrate their readiness for combat. The following day, Capt. Raymond L. Hodges Jr. and "his Chinese boys, Lts. Tung and Yen" flew follow element to the 83^rd Squadron's lead element. "Our boys assembled and tacked on much quicker than the 83^rd, who flew an extremely wide pattern,” according to a later report. However, a mechanical failure forced the lead plane down, leaving Patterson unsatisfied, so he demanded a second practice flight. Once again, the Chinese pilots "made a wonderful showing" and Patterson called off the flight.