The unit was formed on 1 April 1942 in Kisarazu, Japan, and was initially equipped with only six Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters, under the command of Lieutenant Hideki Shingō. The group made an unsuccessful interception attempt during the Doolittle Raid on 18 April. By 30 May, the group's fighter strength increased to 33 Zeros and Lieutenant Tadashi Kaneko was appointed as its commander ("Hikōtaichō"). It was intended to serve as a garrison for Midway Island after it would be captured in the upcoming Operation MI in June. Six fighter were embarked on the carrier "Akagi", nine "Kaga", three each on "Hiryū" and "Sōryū", while 12 were on "Jun'yō". Some of the fighters were involved in the Battle of Midway under Lieutenant Kaneko, and in Attack on Dutch Harbor under Lieutenant Zenjirō Miyano.