Pedzisa mutsara unotevera: Pakupera kwaApril 1942 apo yakanga ine vashandi vakakwana nemidziyo, 82d yakatamira kuMuroc Army Air Field, California, uye yakatanga kuronga kubhururuka uye kupfura uye kubhomba kudzidziswa 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 kweFrance muNorth 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.