76th Tactical Reconnaissance Group


The 76th Tactical Reconnaissance Group is a disbanded United States Army Air Forces organization. It was last active in 1944 as part of the Desert Training Center at Thermal Army Air Field, California.

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.

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