Patrols from David continued into 1944, but on 6 April after trading in its remaining four tired B-17Es for four arguably equally tired B-24Ds, the unit moved, this time by air and truck convoy, to the relative luxury of Howard Field, Canal Zone, where it apparently received additional aircraft, as the unit had eight B-24Ds by 1 July. Aircraft strength fluctuated somewhat from then until the end of the year, and the unit moved again (to Rio Hato) on 26 April 1944, and, with 12 B-24Ds on hand as of October (of which 83% were airworthy), by 8 December, the unit was again at David with 11 B-24Ds.