76th Tactical Reconnaissance Group

History

The group was constituted and activated in early 1942 at MacDill Field, Florida as the 76th Observation Group shortly after the United States entered World War II. Its original squadron was the 24th Observation Squadron, which was joined a few days later by the 23d Observation Squadron when the group moved to Key Field, Mississippi.

The group trained in aerial reconnaissance and air support techniques until March 1943 under Third Air Force. It participated in maneuvers with Second Army until September 1943 when it moved to Thermal AAF and began participating in desert training in California and Arizona. In anticipation of this move, its existing squadrons were reassigned and replaced by new units. It was disbanded on 15 April 1944.

Lineage

Constituted on 5 February 1942 as the 76th Observation Group

Activated on 27 February 1942 Redesignated as the 76th Reconnaissance Group on 2 April 1943 Redesignated as the 76th Tactical Reconnaissance Group on 11 August 1943

Disbanded on 15 April 1944

Assignments

Third Air Force, 27 February 1942

3d Ground Air Support Command (later III Air Support Command, III Reconnaissance Command), 27 February 1942

Desert Training Center, ca. 20 September 1943

III Tactical Air Division, ca. 15 December 1943 - 15 April 1944

Stations Assigned

MacDill Field, Florida, 27 February 1942

Key Field, Mississippi, c. 3 March 1942

Pope Field, North Carolina, 28 March 1942

Vichy Army Air Field, Missouri, 10 December 1942

Morris Field, North Carolina, 10 May 1943

Thermal Army Air Field, California ca. 20 September 1943 – 15 April 1944

Awards

American Theater of World War II