Pedzisa ndima iyi - Pakupera kwaApril 1942 apo yakanga ine vashandi vakakwana nemidziyo, 82d yakatamira kuMuroc Army Air Field, California, ndokutanga kuronga kubhururuka uye kupfura uye kudzidzisa mabhomba neLockheed P-38 Mheni ndege. Hafu yomukirasi yokutanga yavashandi vanobhururuka vakanyoresa vatyairi vakashumira ne82d. Muna May War Department redesignated chikwata sezvo 82d Fighter Group (Two Engine). Boka racho rakabva kuCalifornia muna September ndokusvika kuNorthern Ireland muna October uko rakagamuchira rovedzo yokuwedzera. Panenge panguva imwe cheteyo, vaAllies vakatanga kupinda kwavo muFrench North Africa
. Pakazosvika December 1942, mauto eAxis akanga adzorera mauto eMubatanidzwa, uye kurwisa kwenguva refu kwechando kwakanga kwatanga. Yakanga iri panguva ino kuti 82d Fighter Group yakatamira kuNorth Africa kunoshumira neTwelfth Air Force.