In a high-intensity European war the squadron's role was to support land forces resisting a Soviet attack into Western Europe by striking deep into enemy-held areas beyond the forward edge of the battlefield, striking at enemy concentrations and infrastructure, first with conventional weapons and secondly with tactical nuclear weapons as required, should a conflict escalate to that stage.
In the context of a severe and extensive war in Europe, the squadron's role was to support ground troops fighting against a Soviet invasion by conducting deep attacks into enemy-held territories beyond the front line, targeting enemy groups and infrastructure, initially using conventional weapons and then nuclear arms if required.