Military
The Cessna O-2A "Skymaster" was a military version of the Cessna Model 337 "Super Skymaster" that entered the Air Force inventory beginning in 1967, with production ending in June 1970 after 532 O-2s had been built. O-2s were flown at Eielson between 1971 and 1986 as part of the 25th Tactical Air Support Squadron. Distinguished by twin tail booms and tandem-mounted engines, the O-2 featured a tractor-pusher propeller arrangement. The Air Force selected the O-2 to supplement the O-1 "Bird Dog" Forward Air Controller aircraft then operating in Southeast Asia. Its twin engines enabled it to absorb more ground fire and still return safely. Two O-2 series aircraft were produced, the O-2A and O-2B. The O-2A was equipped with wing pylons to carry phosphorous rockets, flares, and other ordnance, and in the Forward Air Controller role it was used to identify and mark enemy targets with smoke rockets, coordinate air strikes, and report target damage. The O-2B was a psychological warfare aircraft equipped with loudspeakers and leaflet dispensers and carried no ordnance.
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Eielson AFB, Alaska · United States
