In March 1942, just a few months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Outlaw was made Executive Officer of Escort Scouting Squadron 11 (VGS-11).
After its initial training period, the squadron reported aboard USS Altamaha on November 2, 1942.
For the month of December the squadron provided air cover and anti-submarine patrol in the vicinity of Nouméa.
All throughout January and February 1943, VGS-11 operated as a land-based unit.
Most of their time was spent on Guadalcanal in the closing weeks of the Guadalcanal Campaign.

Outlaw was next appointed commanding officer (CO) of newly commissioned Fighting Squadron 32 (VF-32) on June 1, 1943.
 The squadron reported aboard the similarly newly commissioned light carrier USS Langley on October 21, 1943.
After giving the carrier its shakedown cruise and completing its final phase of training, the squadron met Langley at sea on January 19, 1944, and ten days later began its combat cruise.

VF-32 executed pre-invasion strikes against the Japanese-held Marshall Islands in early February and continued to provide air support for American invasion forces throughout the month.
At the end of March, VF-32 quickly struck out at the Palau Islands.
In April Langley moved on to participate in the New Guinea campaign, where VF-32 provided strikes and air support for landings at Hollandia.

The squadron participated in strikes against Chuuk Lagoon in the Caroline Islands between April 29 – 30.
On the first of these days, Outlaw led a fighter sweep consisting of 8 Langley planes intended to meet up with other fighter aircraft for attacks on military installations.
VF-32 arrived at the target site before any of the other squadrons and immediately engaged 35 – 40 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter planes in aerial combat.
Despite these odds, VF-32 shot down 21 enemy aircraft without suffering a single loss.
Outlaw himself was credited with 5 kills and a probable on this sortie, making him an ace-in-a-day.

On May 12, 1944, while Langley was at anchor in Majuro between strike action, Outlaw was promoted to Commander Air Group 32 (CAG-32).
The air group resumed its flight schedule on June 6 as part of the opening air strikes of the Mariana campaign.
During the initial fighter sweep that day, CAG Outlaw downed an enemy Zero, bringing his score to six.
The air group served as Combat Air Patrol (CAP) or Anti-Submarine Patrol (ASP) over their task group for much of June, though strikes were flown against targets on Saipan, Rota and Pagan.
 While at Eniwetok re-provisioning and rearming for the upcoming assault on Guam, Outlaw received a rank promotion to Commander.
Air Group 32 carried out strikes on Guam from July 18 to August 7.
On August 24, 1944, Commander Outlaw was relieved of command.

Outlaw's final wartime posts were as Staff Operations Officer to Task Groups 38.2/58.2 until March 1945, Executive Officer of NAS Corpus Christi up through July 1945, and finally as training officer on the staff of the Chief of Naval Air Basic Training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, a position he held until December 1946.
In March 1942, just a few months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Outlaw was made Executive Officer of Escort Scouting Squadron 11 (VGS-11). After its initial training period, the squadron reported aboard USS Altamaha on November 2, 1942. For the month of December the squadron provided air cover and anti-submarine patrol in the vicinity of Nouméa. All throughout January and February 1943, VGS-11 operated as a land-based unit. Most of their time was spent on Guadalcanal in the closing weeks of the Guadalcanal Campaign.
Outlaw was next appointed commanding officer (CO) of newly commissioned Fighting Squadron 32 (VF-32) on June 1, 1943.  The squadron reported aboard the similarly newly commissioned light carrier USS Langley on October 21, 1943. After giving the carrier its shakedown cruise and completing its final phase of training, the squadron met Langley at sea on January 19, 1944, and ten days later began its combat cruise.
VF-32 executed pre-invasion strikes against the Japanese-held Marshall Islands in early February and continued to provide air support for American invasion forces throughout the month. At the end of March, VF-32 quickly struck out at the Palau Islands. In April Langley moved on to participate in the New Guinea campaign, where VF-32 provided strikes and air support for landings at Hollandia.
The squadron participated in strikes against Chuuk Lagoon in the Caroline Islands between April 29 – 30. On the first of these days, Outlaw led a fighter sweep consisting of 8 Langley planes intended to meet up with other fighter aircraft for attacks on military installations. VF-32 arrived at the target site before any of the other squadrons and immediately engaged 35 – 40 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter planes in aerial combat. Despite these odds, VF-32 shot down 21 enemy aircraft without suffering a single loss. Outlaw himself was credited with 5 kills and a probable on this sortie, making him an ace-in-a-day.
On May 12, 1944, while Langley was at anchor in Majuro between strike action, Outlaw was promoted to Commander Air Group 32 (CAG-32). The air group resumed its flight schedule on June 6 as part of the opening air strikes of the Mariana campaign. During the initial fighter sweep that day, CAG Outlaw downed an enemy Zero, bringing his score to six. The air group served as Combat Air Patrol (CAP) or Anti-Submarine Patrol (ASP) over their task group for much of June, though strikes were flown against targets on Saipan, Rota and Pagan.  While at Eniwetok re-provisioning and rearming for the upcoming assault on Guam, Outlaw received a rank promotion to Commander. Air Group 32 carried out strikes on Guam from July 18 to August 7. On August 24, 1944, Commander Outlaw was relieved of command.
Outlaw's final wartime posts were as Staff Operations Officer to Task Groups 38.2/58.2 until March 1945, Executive Officer of NAS Corpus Christi up through July 1945, and finally as training officer on the staff of the Chief of Naval Air Basic Training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, a position he held until December 1946.
Edward Cobb Outlaw